Manchester City’s storied run under Pep Guardiola has hit a rough patch, with the team suffering a second consecutive Premier League defeat, this time a disheartening loss to Brighton. The setback has intensified scrutiny on Guardiola’s squad, which failed to secure a major trophy last season for the first time in eight years. As the club grapples with a crisis that feels more structural than temporary, the absence of Jack Grealish, now thriving on loan at Everton, looms large. Once heralded as a transformative signing, Grealish’s departure underscores the challenges facing City’s ambitious rebuild, raising questions about whether even Guardiola’s tactical genius can restore the club to its former dominance.
When Manchester City signed Grealish from Aston Villa in 2021 for a British record £100 million, expectations were sky-high. Txiki Begiristain, City’s director of football, called him “one of the most exciting attacking players in world football,” predicting that fans would adore his flair. “Pep loves the way he plays, and we all feel he is an ideal fit for Manchester City. Our style and his style are a perfect match,” Begiristain said at the time. Grealish’s dazzling performances at Villa, where he notched 16 goal contributions in 26 Premier League games during his final season, promised to bring unpredictability and creativity to City’s attack. Yet, under Guardiola’s system, Grealish was asked to temper his maverick instincts, becoming a more disciplined cog in City’s machine. The result was a shadow of the player who once electrified Villa Park, with Grealish often opting for safe passes over risky, game-changing plays.
The 2024-25 season was particularly tough for Grealish at City. He started just seven Premier League matches, scoring three goals and providing five assists in 33 appearances. His limited minutes culminated in high-profile omissions, including being left out of the FA Cup final squad against Crystal Palace, where Guardiola opted for a debut from Argentine teenager Claudio Echeverri. Grealish’s exclusion from the Club World Cup squad further signaled the end of his tenure. “The only reason he didn’t play minutes was me, not because he was incorrect or whatever,” Guardiola insisted, dismissing rumors that Grealish’s off-field behavior was to blame. However, he hinted at the need for Grealish to rediscover his passion elsewhere, stating, “Of course, Jack has to play. He’s an unbelievable player that has to play football every three days. It didn’t happen this season and last season either.”
Grealish’s loan move to Everton in August 2025 has proven transformative. Under Graham Potter at Everton’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium, the 29-year-old has rediscovered his spark, shining in recent matches and reminding fans of his Villa days. His resurgence has coincided with City’s struggles, prompting some to wonder if letting him go was a mistake. Former City goalkeeper Shay Given, who played alongside Grealish at Villa, believes the midfielder still has much to offer. “I think Jack has been a generational talent,” Given said. “He is only 29, he still has three or four brilliant years ahead of him at the top. He will be really hungry to go out there and show how good he is.”
City’s broader challenges extend beyond Grealish. The club’s 4-3 extra-time loss to Al Hilal in the Club World Cup exposed vulnerabilities, despite new signings like Rayan Cherki, Rayan Aït-Nouri, and Tijjani Reijnders. Guardiola has acknowledged the need for a leaner squad, joking that he’d “quit” if forced to manage his current 32-player roster next season. “I don’t have that feeling,” he said of a full-scale rebuild, emphasizing his faith in his current players. “I have 24 players, and I saw them training the other day and said how good they are. New faces will come, especially in positions where we are weaker, but I don’t think a lot.” Yet, with high-profile departures like Kevin De Bruyne to Napoli and potential exits for Ilkay Gundogan, John Stones, and Kyle Walker, City faces a delicate transition.
Guardiola’s insistence that no major overhaul is needed may reflect his confidence, but City’s recent form suggests otherwise. The team’s third-place finish in the Premier League secured Champions League qualification, which Guardiola called “like a title” after a turbulent campaign. However, the absence of players like Grealish, who could have provided creativity and leadership, has left gaps. Interest in Grealish from clubs like West Ham, Napoli, and even his former club Aston Villa underscores his enduring value, though his £300,000-a-week salary complicates permanent moves. As City prepares for the 2025-26 season, Guardiola must balance integrating new talent with maintaining the club’s winning ethos. Grealish’s revival at Everton serves as a poignant reminder of what City might be missing, and whether Guardiola can rebuild without him remains an open question.
Leave a Reply