Jack Grealish’s Goal Drought: Can a New Role Spark a Career Revival?
Jack Grealish, once the crown jewel of Aston Villa and now a key figure in Manchester City’s treble-winning side, finds himself grappling with a challenging phase in his career. His last goal for Manchester City dates back to December 2023, during a 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace. Since then, the £100 million man has gone over 1,547 minutes without finding the back of the net in all competitions.
This prolonged goal drought raises questions about Grealish’s form and future role at the Etihad Stadium. Despite the dry spell, there is hope that a potential shift in responsibilities could reignite the spark that made him one of England’s most exciting talents.
A Glorious Past: The Peak of Grealish’s City Career
To understand how Grealish arrived at this juncture, it’s essential to revisit his peak at Manchester City. The 2022/23 season marked a high point for the player, as he became an integral part of City’s historic treble-winning campaign.
Making 50 appearances that season, Grealish was instrumental in pivotal moments, particularly in the Premier League title race. His standout performances in both victories against Arsenal helped City secure the title, finishing five points ahead of the Gunners.
In the UEFA Champions League, Grealish played a vital role in the knockout stages, including decisive wins against RB Leipzig and Real Madrid. He featured in every minute of the final, cementing his status as a key player on the European stage. Grealish also started in the first-ever Manchester Derby FA Cup final, where City triumphed, completing their treble.
This period showcased Grealish as a creative force, a player who could dominate possession, carry the ball through defenses, and set up crucial opportunities for his teammates. However, even during this peak, goal-scoring was not his primary strength—a pattern that has persisted throughout his career.
A Season Marred by Injuries
The 2023/24 season saw Grealish’s momentum interrupted by recurring injuries. A groin issue and a hamstring injury sidelined him for 15 games, disrupting his rhythm and limiting his contributions. Over the course of the campaign, Grealish only managed to string together three consecutive league starts on two occasions.
This inconsistency in fitness and form left him struggling to recapture his best. Even when he did play, the once-dominant winger seemed a shadow of his former self, unable to influence games with the same swagger and confidence that had defined his earlier performances.
The current season has offered little improvement. Despite making 10 league appearances, Grealish has completed the full 90 minutes just once—a comprehensive 3-0 victory against Nottingham Forest that ended City’s winless streak.
Was Scoring Ever His Strong Suit?
While Grealish’s goal drought is concerning, it’s important to recognize that scoring has never been his primary focus. At Aston Villa, where he thrived in a free-roaming No. 10 role, his main contributions came through his ability to carry the ball, create chances, and draw fouls.
His best Premier League season saw him score eight goals, a modest tally for a player who commanded a record-breaking transfer fee. Over his career, Grealish has managed 26 goals in 180 Premier League appearances, averaging just 0.14 goals per game.
Even at his peak, Grealish’s value lay in his creativity and work rate rather than his finishing ability. This raises an important question: should City be expecting more goals from a player whose skill set has always leaned toward playmaking?
Signs of Hope in a New Role
Despite his struggles at club level, Grealish has shown glimpses of his old self on the international stage. Although omitted from Gareth Southgate’s final Euro 2024 squad, he impressed under interim England manager Lee Carsley, scoring twice in three games.
Under Carsley, Grealish was deployed in a free-roaming central role reminiscent of his Aston Villa days. Freed from the tactical constraints often required at City, he looked more comfortable and influential, delivering strong performances against the Republic of Ireland and Finland.
Pep Guardiola appears to have taken notice. In a recent game against Nottingham Forest, Grealish was tasked with a similar role, playing in a deeper, more central position. The results were promising, as he played a key part in controlling the tempo and breaking the lines of the opposition defense.
“Our football is always built from the midfield,” Guardiola said after the Forest game. “Jack gave us that pace. When it came to accelerating and controlling, he did it really well. I’m so happy for him.
“He has the attributes to play holding midfield. He can keep the ball, break the lines, and he has composure.”
These comments hint at a potential shift in Grealish’s role, one that coA Career at a Crossroads
As Grealish approaches the one-year mark without a goal, his career feels like it is in a state of limbo. The former Aston Villa talisman who once captivated fans with his flair and creativity now finds himself under scrutiny. However, with Guardiola’s tactical acumen and a potential new role that emphasizes his playmaking abilities, there is reason to believe he can rediscover his best form.
While Grealish may never be a prolific goal scorer, he remains a valuable asset to City when fully fit and confident. If the experiment with a deeper, more central role proves successful, it could mark the beginning of a new chapter for the £100 million man—a chapter where he once again becomes indispensable to Manchester City’s success.
For now, the hope lies in patience, adaptability, and the rediscovery of the joy that made Jack Grealish a star in the first place.