Jack Grealish might not have expected to be a central figure in Manchester City’s pre-season tour, but he now faces a pivotal opportunity to bounce back stronger than ever.
This isn’t unfamiliar ground for the £100m man. Grealish has been here before, grappling with high expectations after a lackluster season. Despite owning a Premier League winner’s medal, his contribution last season was more of a supporting role.
In the summer of 2022, as Grealish entered his second year with Manchester City, he was aware of the scrutiny that surrounded him, especially after an underwhelming debut season at the Etihad. Standing in the tunnel of the NRG Stadium in Houston, having just helped City defeat Club America, Grealish addressed reporters with defiance. He defended his high-profile vacation to Las Vegas, which had been splashed across tabloids, and emphasized that other City players also took time to adapt to Pep Guardiola’s demands. He confidently backed himself to justify his record-breaking transfer fee.
Reflecting on the subsequent 2022/23 season, Grealish indeed turned things around, becoming a crucial player in City’s treble-winning side. The image of a topless Grealish celebrating on the back of an open-top bus in torrential rain has become iconic, symbolizing his time at City. No matter the criticism, he maximizes his opportunities and enjoys every moment.
However, as this summer unfolds, Grealish finds himself at a crossroads once again. The same questions asked of him in Houston resurface, now with greater significance. Grealish has openly admitted to experiencing doubts after winning the treble—not about his abilities but about how to surpass those achievements. While the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup have been added to his collection, the elusive Community Shield remains a sore point, having lost all three attempts.
“At times this season I have struggled a little bit with myself, and [Guardiola] has been there for me all the time,” Grealish revealed in an interview after City’s win at Crystal Palace in April. “I owe him a lot. It’s been a difficult season for me personally after the highs of last year. I spoke to the manager a lot and he’s been so good with me. I speak to my friends in the [dressing room] every day. I know how important I am to the team. I speak to the manager, and at the back end of last season, you’ve seen how much the manager played me.”
Grealish’s struggles in replicating his 2022/23 form, fitness, and status have been evident. Since that memorable night in Istanbul, he hasn’t been able to maintain the same intensity or sharpness. Injuries have plagued him, and just as he seemed to recover, another setback would occur. His misfortune with a dead leg early in the campaign was described as the worst City’s medical team had ever seen, hindering his momentum and allowing rivals to secure the left-wing spot. Even Guardiola questioned his fitness at one point.
With Jeremy Doku emerging as a formidable winger and Phil Foden finding more opportunities on the left, Grealish found himself slipping down the pecking order. Despite starting both legs against Real Madrid in the Champions League, he was benched for the Premier League clincher and the FA Cup final loss, reinforcing the notion that he wasn’t the same player from 12 months ago.
Unsurprisingly, Grealish was omitted from Gareth Southgate’s England squad for Euro 2024, a decision based on his recent form rather than past glories. As Southgate favored players like Cole Palmer, Jarrod Bowen, and Eberechi Eze, Grealish had to confront the harsh reality of his situation.
Watching from the sidelines, Grealish remained a supportive figure on social media as England reached the final. He must have thought about how his ball retention skills could have made a difference during England’s challenging moments. Despite the what-ifs, Grealish must focus on reality and what he can control next season. He hinted at this determination by posting a video of his personal training during one of England’s Euro fixtures.
Now, as an experienced player with three years under Guardiola and numerous trophies to his name, Grealish knows that City expects more from their number 10. Guardiola reassured, “He will be back. He’s struggled this season, and Jeremy has made an incredible step forward as everyone has seen in the last games. But Jack will be back at the level of last season, I’m pretty sure.”
As the upcoming season looms, Grealish stands as City’s most intriguing player to watch. Not Phil Foden, not new signing Savinho, not marauding full-back Josko Gvardiol, nor goal machine Erling Haaland. Grealish knows what it takes to rediscover his top form, and he has learned valuable lessons from his challenging seasons. If he returns with renewed vigor, he could become one of the Premier League’s most lethal players once again. But the burning question remains: does Grealish have the fight in him to silence the doubters once more? His legacy at City hangs in the balance.
