Enzo Maresca has signalled willingness to give Jack Grealish a genuine opportunity to revive his Manchester City career, despite the winger's difficult spell on loan at Everton. The new City manager, who previously worked alongside Grealish as Pep Guardiola's assistant, believes the £100 million signing still has a role to play at the Etihad Stadium once fully recovered from injury.
Grealish endured a frustrating 2024-25 season before departing on loan, managing just 20 Premier League appearances and 715 minutes under Guardiola. His time at Everton showed promise initially—he contributed two goals and six assists across 1,632 minutes—but a persistent foot injury cut short what should have been a confidence-building campaign. The Merseyside club declined to activate their £50 million purchase option, leaving his future uncertain heading into the new era under Maresca.
Maresca Backs Grealish's Character and Quality
Maresca acknowledged the challenge of assessing players remotely but emphasized his positive relationship with the England international. "In any club I join, it's my duty to coach the players at the club and Jack is here at the moment," Maresca explained. "I have a good relationship with him and since I left we've been keeping in touch. He has a big heart and is a very good guy but we'll see what happens." The manager's measured tone reflects City's pragmatic approach—supporting Grealish's recovery while maintaining flexibility about his long-term status.
Since joining City from Aston Villa in 2021, Grealish has made 157 appearances and scored 17 goals, winning three Premier League titles, an FA Cup, a Club World Cup, and a Champions League medal. That pedigree alone suggests he retains value, though he must prove his fitness and recapture form in an increasingly competitive attacking environment.
Grealish recently posted on social media that he is "nearly there" in his rehabilitation, expressing eagerness to return to full training. This week he will continue his individual fitness programme at the City Football Academy before the medical team clears him for group work. His immediate task is straightforward: regain match sharpness, impress Maresca on the training pitch, and stake a claim in City's bid to reclaim domestic glory after missing out on the title for two consecutive seasons.
