Jack Grealish made an unexpected reappearance for Manchester City on Sunday, stepping off the bench at half-time during their 3-0 Community Shield defeat to Arsenal in Cardiff, reigniting questions over what comes next for the 30-year-old midfielder.
Grealish's status at the club had appeared all but settled after he spent last season on loan at Everton, a move many assumed would become permanent. However, Everton chose not to pursue a permanent transfer, leaving Grealish's parent club deal at City still technically intact. He had also been excluded from City's pre-season tour of Asia, with the player citing an ongoing injury recovery.
New City manager Enzo Maresca offered a measured assessment following the Community Shield loss, praising Grealish's contribution off the bench. "Overall, Jack was good," Maresca said. He added that opportunities remain available to any player willing to earn them: "The ones that are still here, they are going to work every day, and if they deserve it they are going to get minutes. The transfer window is open and we will see what happens."
Grealish's trajectory at City has been one of dramatic highs and lows since his £100m arrival from Aston Villa in 2021. He was a key contributor during City's Treble-winning 2022-23 campaign, featuring in the Champions League final victory over Inter Milan. But his playing time diminished sharply the following season, with just 10 Premier League starts as Jeremy Doku emerged as a preferred option. Former manager Pep Guardiola addressed the decline at the time, saying, "He is the same player, he has the same manager and the way we play has not changed. It's just the way he has performed. That's the difference."
The situation worsened further in 2024-25, when Grealish made only seven league starts and was omitted from City's Club World Cup squad altogether. His last England cap, of 39 total, came in October 2024.
A loan move to Everton offered a temporary revival. Under manager David Moyes, Grealish began the campaign strongly, earning his first Premier League Player of the Month award in August after registering four assists in his first three league matches. Moyes praised his impact at the time, saying, "It's a big privilege to be given that accolade and I'm pleased for him because everybody knows he's back again. He's come back with the right mindset to produce and he has produced for us. He's made a big difference. It's just the start for Jack." That momentum stalled, however, and a foot injury in January cut his season short.
Now back at City under Maresca, Grealish has been told he can earn game time if he remains and impresses, though speculation persists that a departure is more likely. Former Scotland winger Pat Nevin, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, suggested Sunday's outing may have served as a showcase for potential suitors rather than a genuine path back into City's plans: "I don't think many people think that's going to happen for Jack at Manchester City, but it's a chance to say to any suitors at all that he's available, he's fit and he does look good. He's done enough for me to think he'll do a job for somebody."
A return to Everton remains plausible, with reports suggesting City's valuation of around £50m proved a sticking point this summer. BBC Radio Merseyside's Giulia Bould noted that Grealish still lists Everton as his club on social media and that a fresh loan deal could be revisited once he fully recovers from foot surgery.
A sentimental return to boyhood club Aston Villa, now back in the Champions League, has also been floated, with BBC Radio WM's Daz Hale describing such a move as fitting given the club's need for squad depth. Reports have additionally linked Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid with interest in the player.
With roughly two weeks remaining in the transfer window, Grealish's next destination remains unresolved, though for now he stays registered as a Manchester City player.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport.