Manchester City: Paul Lake hopes Jack Grealish gets opportunity under Enzo Maresca
Grealish’s Return to Manchester City
Former Manchester City captain Paul Lake has expressed his hope that Jack Grealish will be given 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, who was signed by City in August 2021 after the club triggered a £100m release clause from Aston Villa, has achieved significant success at the Etihad Stadium, including winning three Premier Leagues, the Champions League, the FA Cup, the Super Cup, and the Club World Cup.
Despite his past successes, Grealish spent the 2025-26 season on loan at Everton, seeking more first-team minutes after falling out of Pep Guardiola‘s starting XI. During his loan spell, he scored two late match-winning goals and provided six assists before sustaining a stress fracture in his foot in January during a 1-0 victory against his former club, Aston Villa. This injury ruled him out for the remainder of the campaign, though he continued his recovery at Everton’s Finch Farm training base until his loan concluded last month.
Grealish, who is now 30 years old, is continuing his recovery at his parent club, City, and is reportedly nearing a return to full training. He is now working under Maresca, a manager he knows from Maresca’s previous role as an assistant to Guardiola. Maresca has since managed Leicester City and Chelsea before taking over the top job at City from the departed Guardiola.
Maresca’s Stance and Future Prospects
At his first press conference as manager, Maresca addressed Grealish’s situation, stating, “At the moment, he’s here. He’s a Man City player.” Maresca emphasised his duty to coach players who belong to the club, adding that he has maintained a good relationship with Grealish due to his “big heart” and positive character. He concluded by saying, “And then we see what happens.”
Lake, speaking on BBC Radio Manchester, suggested that Grealish’s experience in high-pressure moments and his positive influence on the squad could be valuable. He noted that Grealish was well-liked by his teammates at City, a quality that could be beneficial for new players, particularly those with high expectations. Lake expressed hope that Grealish would be given a chance under Maresca, viewing it as potentially akin to two new signings for the manager, which could enhance the team’s atmosphere.
There is reported interest from Everton in bringing Grealish back to Hill Dickinson Stadium for another season. However, reports suggest that City might prefer a permanent transfer rather than another loan spell for the player. Before any negotiations can take place, Grealish needs to regain full fitness. Some reports indicate that it is likely Grealish has already played his last match for the FA Cup and League Cup holders.
Grealish’s Career Crossroads
Grealish’s career is currently at a crossroads. His form, which was instrumental in England‘s run to the European Championship final in 2021, has reportedly declined, and his loan spell at Everton was cut short by injury. Despite playing fewer minutes than some of his City teammates, he has accumulated 22 yellow cards during his time at the club, with only Rodri and Bernardo Silva receiving more.
Since joining 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 role, his assist rate of approximately one assist every five games is not considered elite-level. However, he has created 275 chances during his tenure at the Etihad Stadium, positioning him as one of the more creative players in the squad.
His passing statistics show an 88.02% completion rate, but his total of 4,823 passes is considerably lower than that of some teammates, such as Ruben Dias, who made 18,918 passes. Even Gabriel Jesus, who left City for Arsenal, made 3,030 passes within the same timeframe as Grealish at the club. At Everton, Grealish showed improved numbers before his injury, creating 42 chances, a figure only surpassed by James Garner‘s 59, and achieving a 56.25% shot accuracy, behind only Jake O’Brien and Iliman Ndiaye.
As Grealish approaches his 31st birthday after the start of next season, there is a clear need for him to either intensify his efforts at City to secure a place under Maresca or explore opportunities elsewhere to revitalise his career. His situation presents a significant decision point for the player as he aims to establish his role in the upcoming season.
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Source: bbc.co.uk
As News GB's Senior Football Correspondent, Lewis Hartnell reports on the Premier League, the EFL and the England national side for readers across the country. He reported on south-coast football for a regional title. He holds a degree in Sports Journalism from Solent University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Lewis lives in Southampton, where he watches youth football and follows the transfer market. “The week's training ground decides the weekend's headlines.”
