The winds of change are blowing through English football, and at the center of the storm stands Jack Grealish, the Manchester City winger whose flair and tenacity have long captivated fans. As the Three Lions gear up for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia in March 2025, whispers are growing louder that Grealish could soon reclaim his spot in the England squad under the watchful eye of new manager Thomas Tuchel. The German tactician, who took the reins after Gareth Southgate’s departure, has sparked intrigue with his bold vision for the national team—and Grealish, it seems, might just be the missing piece to solve some lingering puzzles.
The 29-year-old’s journey this season has been a rollercoaster. At Manchester City, Grealish has struggled to secure a regular starting role, managing just six Premier League starts and a paltry 34 minutes of league action since January. His stat line—one assist in 16 appearances—pales in comparison to the dazzling displays that once made him a £100 million man when he swapped Aston Villa for the Etihad in 2021. Injuries and fierce competition from the likes of Jeremy Doku have relegated him to the bench more often than not, leaving his rhythm disrupted and his confidence tested. Yet, beneath the surface, there’s a fire still burning, and Tuchel appears to see it.
England’s recent 2-0 victory over Albania offered a glimpse of both promise and problems. Young stars like Jude Bellingham and Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly shone brightly, with the latter scoring on his debut. But the wings told a different story. Phil Foden and Marcus Rashford, deployed on the flanks, failed to ignite, their lackluster performances prompting substitutions in the 74th minute. It was a moment that exposed a tactical conundrum for Tuchel—one that former Ireland striker Clinton Morrison believes Grealish could resolve. Speaking with conviction, Morrison argued, “I bet Thomas Tuchel will like someone like a Jack Grealish, he’ll go there, he can get on the ball and these are intelligent footballers… they move the ball ever so well.” For Morrison, Grealish’s potential return isn’t just a possibility—it’s a necessity.
Tuchel himself has been effusive in his praise, hinting at a future where Grealish plays a pivotal role. “I love Jack,” he declared, his enthusiasm unmistakable. “I love everything about him. I love his personality, I love his quality. The guy has courage, he can take the heat, he’s not afraid of the Bernabeu whistles when he’s on the ball.” It’s a glowing endorsement that contrasts sharply with Grealish’s omission from Tuchel’s first squad earlier this month. That decision, Tuchel explained, stemmed from the winger’s lack of game time, a sentiment Grealish himself echoed in a candid conversation with the manager. “Listen, Thomas, I’m not a start-stop player,” Grealish confessed. “It is so hard for me to influence a match from the bench and then be on the bench again, and then two weeks later I start again.” Tuchel agreed, noting, “He simply has no rhythm, and he knows that himself.”
But the door remains ajar. Tuchel’s admiration isn’t mere lip service—he sees Grealish as a player who “gets better and better the more minutes he plays,” a dynamic force who could be “the glue in a team.” It’s a tantalizing prospect for England fans, especially as the road to the 2026 World Cup looms large. Grealish’s exclusion from Euro 2024 under Southgate still stings, and his limited role at City has fueled speculation about his next move. Some pundits suggest a transfer might be the key to unlocking his potential, with Newcastle United rumored as a possible destination where Eddie Howe’s attacking system could let him flourish.
For now, Grealish’s immediate focus is on forcing his way back into Pep Guardiola’s plans at City. His recent outings in the FA Cup—where he’s racked up four goal contributions in three games against lower-tier sides—offer a glimmer of hope. But the Premier League is a different beast, and Guardiola’s patience with his most expensive signing has reportedly worn thin. Off the pitch, Grealish’s headline-grabbing nights out, including a recent pub crawl in East Manchester, have raised eyebrows, though Tuchel brushed it off as secondary to his on-field struggles. “Of course, it’s not ideal if he’s in the newspapers and out there in public,” Tuchel admitted, “but it’s not just his fault.”
As England prepares to face Latvia next, the clamor for Grealish’s return grows. Morrison’s take resonates: “You’ve gotta adapt your game… I think Jack Grealish will be in the England squad soon when he starts playing regularly.” Whether that regularity comes at City or elsewhere, one thing is clear—Tuchel’s blueprint for the Three Lions has a space for Grealish’s swagger, courage, and undeniable talent. The stage is set for a comeback, and the football world is watching to see if Grealish can seize it.
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