Jack Grealish, the flamboyant England winger whose £100 million transfer to Manchester City in 2021 made him the most expensive British footballer at the time, appears to be nearing the end of his tumultuous tenure at the Etihad Stadium. The 29-year-old was conspicuously absent from Pep Guardiola’s traveling squad for a pre-season friendly against Palermo on August 9, 2025, a decision that has fueled speculation about his future with the club. With only seven Premier League starts in the 2024-25 season and a series of high-profile snubs, including missing the FA Cup final and Club World Cup squad, Grealish’s once-promising City career seems to be unraveling, prompting calls from pundits and former players for him to seek a fresh start to salvage his talent and international prospects.
Grealish’s journey at City has been a rollercoaster. After dazzling at Aston Villa with his unpredictable dribbling and playmaking, he was hailed as a transformative signing by City’s director of football Txiki Begiristain, who called him “one of the most exciting attacking players in world football.” Yet, under Guardiola’s tactical discipline, Grealish’s free-spirited style was reined in, transforming him into a more cautious player who often opted for safe passes over risky flair. “He’s not been the same Jack Grealish we’ve seen at Villa, where he had freedom to be himself,” former Everton defender Alan Stubbs remarked, echoing sentiments from fans frustrated by his muted output. Despite contributing to City’s 2022-23 treble, including their first Champions League title, Grealish’s recent seasons have been marred by injuries and limited game time, with just four Premier League goals since the start of 2023-24.
The Palermo friendly omission is the latest blow. Guardiola, who once passionately defended Grealish, stating, “I am the one who said ‘I want Jack Grealish,’” has grown increasingly critical. After a 4-1 win over West Ham in January 2025, he lamented Grealish’s form, saying, “I want the Jack that won the Treble. I want it.” The decision to leave him out of the squad, alongside James McAtee and Stefan Ortega, while favoring younger players like Claudio Echeverri, signals a shift in priorities. “The only reason he didn’t play last season is of course my decisions,” Guardiola admitted, emphasizing that Grealish’s lack of minutes stems from tactical choices rather than off-field issues. Posts on X have amplified the narrative, with fans and analysts noting that Grealish trained alone at City’s facility while his teammates prepared for Palermo, underscoring his precarious position.
The fallout extends beyond club football. Grealish’s limited playtime led to his exclusion from England’s Euro 2024 squad, a decision he called “the most difficult thing I have had to deal with in my career.” With new England manager Thomas Tuchel yet to recall him, Grealish faces a race against time to revive his international career ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Former City goalkeeper Shay Given warned, “The writing is on the wall,” urging Grealish to explore new opportunities. Everton have emerged as frontrunners, with negotiations underway for a season-long loan to bring the winger to their new Hill Dickinson Stadium. “I think David Moyes would give him that freedom,” Stubbs said, recalling a summer conversation in Marbella where he encouraged Grealish to join Everton to “start enjoying his football” again.
Other clubs, including West Ham, Tottenham, Napoli, and Fenerbahce, have been linked, but Grealish’s £300,000-a-week wages pose a hurdle. A loan move appears most likely, with City open to offers but unwilling to sell to a Premier League rival permanently. Despite his love for City—expressed at an Oasis concert in July 2025, where he told fans, “I love City more than anything. City fans are the best in the world”—Grealish’s future hangs in the balance. As a new father to his daughter with partner Sasha Attwood, born in September 2024, he seeks stability, making Everton’s proximity to his Cheshire home appealing.
As City prepare for their Premier League opener, Grealish’s absence from the Palermo clash marks a turning point. With two years left on his contract, the former Villa captain must decide whether to fight for his place or embrace a new challenge. His flair, once likened to Nottingham Forest legend John Robertson, remains undeniable, but as Alan Shearer bluntly stated, “For whatever reason, Pep’s done with him.” Grealish’s next move could define the twilight of his career, with Everton offering a chance to rediscover the magic that once captivated the football world.
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