Manchester City: Paul Lake discusses Jack Grealish’s future under Enzo Maresca
Former Manchester City captain Paul Lake has expressed his hope that Jack Grealish will receive an opportunity under new manager Enzo Maresca. Lake believes that the left winger possesses a “great attitude and personality” that could benefit the squad.
Grealish initially joined Manchester City in August 2021 after the club activated a £100m release clause to sign him from Aston Villa. During his time at the Etihad Stadium, he has been part of teams that secured three Premier League titles, the Champions League, the FA Cup, the Super Cup, and the Club World Cup.
However, Grealish found himself out of Pep Guardiola‘s starting lineup, leading to a season-long loan move to Everton for the 2025-26 campaign. This move was intended to secure more first-team minutes for the 30-year-old.
Grealish’s Return and Managerial Change
With Enzo Maresca now at the helm, replacing Pep Guardiola, questions have arisen regarding Grealish’s role within the squad. Lake commented on the situation, stating that there is “no reason why it can’t happen” for Grealish to reintegrate into the team. He highlighted Grealish’s belief in his own ability, noting, “Jack Grealish will say: ‘Of course I can play in that team, I’ve done it before and I can do it again.'”
Lake further emphasised Grealish’s unique contributions, including his experience in high-pressure moments and his positive attitude. He pointed out the genuine affection Grealish received from his teammates, suggesting it would be a healthy influence for the squad, particularly for new players. Lake hopes Grealish is given a chance under Maresca, viewing it as akin to having “two almost-new signings for the manager,” which could boost team morale.
Grealish has returned to Manchester City for pre-season training following his loan spell at Everton. During his time with the Blues, he made a positive impact, contributing two goals and six assists in 18 league starts. His season was cut short by a foot injury.
Everton has been linked with a potential move to re-sign Grealish, though no public progress on a new deal has been reported. Everton has also shown interest in City right-back Rico Lewis.
Career Crossroads and Performance Analysis
Grealish’s career is currently at a crossroads. An image of him celebrating shirtless on an open-top bus parade after Manchester City‘s successful season highlighted his ‘Jack the lad’ persona. However, three years later, this image has reportedly faded, and the player faces significant decisions about his future.
His form, which was crucial during England‘s run to the European Championship final in 2021, has reportedly declined. An injury sustained during his loan at Everton further hampered his progress there.
While a continued stay at Manchester City is not entirely ruled out, especially given Maresca’s prior experience with Grealish as an assistant to Pep Guardiola, it appears unlikely at this stage. His reported weekly salary of £300,000 could be a barrier for many clubs, with only Virgil van Dijk and Erling Haaland reportedly earning more in the Premier League.
Since joining Manchester City, and including his loan at Everton, Grealish has made 179 club appearances across all competitions, scoring 19 goals and providing 29 assists. While scoring may not be his primary strength, an average of one assist in every five games is not considered an elite-level performance.
Despite playing fewer minutes than many of his City teammates, Grealish has accumulated 22 yellow cards, with only Rodri and Bernardo Silva receiving more. His creativity is notable, having created 275 chances during his time at the Etihad Stadium, making him one of the more creative players in the squad.
However, his passing statistics show a disparity compared to his teammates. His pass completion rate stands at 88.02%, but his total of 4,823 passes is significantly lower than, for example, Ruben Dias‘s 18,918 passes. Even Gabriel Jesus, who left for Arsenal, made 3,030 passes during a similar timeframe at City.
Grealish did improve his numbers at Everton before his injury ended his 2025/26 season prematurely. He created 42 chances, a figure only surpassed by James Garner‘s 59. His shot accuracy of 56.25% was also notable, behind only Jake O’Brien and Iliman Ndiaye.
Maresca addressed Grealish’s future during a press conference on Friday, stating that Grealish is currently a Manchester City player and that it is his duty to coach all players at the club. Maresca confirmed a good relationship with Grealish, stemming from his previous coaching role at City, noting Grealish’s “big heart” and describing him as a “very good guy.” He concluded by saying, “We will see what happens.”
As Grealish approaches his 31st birthday shortly after the next season begins, there is a clear need for him to either intensify his efforts at Manchester City to secure a place under Maresca or explore opportunities elsewhere to revitalise his career.
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Source: bbc.co.uk