On a crisp April afternoon at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester City delivered a masterclass, dismantling Crystal Palace with a commanding performance that left no doubt about their title-contending pedigree. Yet, amid the celebration, one moment stood out—not for its brilliance, but for its quiet disappointment. Jack Grealish, the £100 million man, entered the fray with just three minutes of regular time remaining, a late substitute in a game already decided. His brief cameo was a microcosm of his season: a hesitation when a shooting chance beckoned, a fumbled attempt at a flashy assist. For a player once hailed as England’s golden boy, it was another forgettable snapshot in a campaign that has seen him relegated to the fringes of Pep Guardiola’s squad. As the summer transfer window looms, Grealish’s fleeting appearance underscored a stark reality—he needs to find a way out of Manchester City to rediscover the spark that made him a star.
The 29-year-old’s journey at City has been a tale of highs and lows since his record-breaking move from Aston Villa in 2021. Back then, he was the heartbeat of his boyhood club, a free-spirited creator who could turn games with a flick of his boot. “I am incredibly happy to have joined Manchester City,” Grealish said at the time, brimming with excitement about playing under Guardiola, whom he called “the best manager in the world.” The promise was clear: a marriage of his flair with City’s precision would elevate him to new heights. And for a time, it did. In his second season, Grealish was a linchpin in City’s treble-winning campaign, gliding past defenders and earning praise for his work rate. His goal in a 6-2 rout of Iran at the 2022 World Cup cemented his status as a national treasure.
But 2025 tells a different story. Grealish’s season has been marred by niggling injuries and a struggle to reclaim his place in a squad brimming with talent. Against Palace, younger players like Rico Lewis and James McAtee were given the nod ahead of him, with McAtee even finding the net. Grealish’s 12th substitute appearance in the Premier League this year—and only seven starts—paints a picture of a player out of sync with Guardiola’s relentless demands. “He needs to be fit to play three games a week regularly,” Guardiola has said, pointing to fitness as the crux of Grealish’s woes. Yet, some argue the issue runs deeper. Deployed in a role that curbs his natural adventure, Grealish often looks like a caged bird, his instincts dulled by City’s structured system.
The numbers are sobering. Since January 2024, Grealish has started just nine of City’s 39 Premier League matches, logging a mere 185 minutes from 21 substitute outings. His lone league goal this season came against Leicester, a rare bright spot in a campaign where he’s been overshadowed by the likes of Jeremy Doku and Savinho. Off the pitch, Grealish’s charisma remains undimmed—he’s a new father, a fashion icon, and a fan favorite—but on it, he’s a shadow of the player who once tore Liverpool apart with two goals and three assists in a 7-2 Villa thrashing. “I don’t feel like I’ve performed well this season at all,” he admitted last year, a candid reflection that still rings true.
Whispers of a move are growing louder. Tottenham has been floated as a potential destination, with former players suggesting a fresh start could revive his career. “He will have to leave,” one ex-pro claimed, arguing that a club where Grealish can be the focal point might unlock his potential. A return to Aston Villa, where he was captain and talisman, would tug at heartstrings, though tensions with fans during a recent visit suggest a clean break elsewhere might be wiser. Inter Milan and Borussia Dortmund have also been linked, each offering a chance to play with the freedom he craves.
For England, too, the clock is ticking. New manager Thomas Tuchel’s decision to overlook Grealish for recent squads highlights the competition from rising stars like Cole Palmer and Anthony Gordon. At 30 come September, Grealish faces a pivotal moment. His brief Palace cameo wasn’t just a missed chance—it was a reminder that his talent deserves a bigger stage. As City march toward another title, Grealish’s future lies beyond the Etihad, where a new chapter could see him shine once more.