The former Aston Villa man has been forced to rein in his natural creative instincts at the Etihad Stadium, but it doesn't have to be that way
"Honestly, it was probably one of the worst summers of my life because you can’t not see everything that’s happening in front of you," Jack Grealish told after scoring in his first game for England since being left out of Gareth Southgate's Euro 2024 squad. "It was difficult, but it’s given me more resolve to bounce back."
The Manchester City star's third international goal was a beauty, as he swept a first-time shot into the far corner of the Ireland net after being picked out by Declan Rice. That sublime effort effectively sealed a 2-0 Nations League victory for England, and Grealish couldn't resist putting his fingers to his ears as he celebrated against the country he used to represent at Under-21 level, having been booed by most of the fans packed into the Aviva Stadium in the first 25 minutes of the game.
It seemed more like an outpouring of relief than an act of antagonism, though. Grealish missed out on the Euros after his worst season yet in a City shirt. It's been a long time since he's been in the headlines for positive reasons, but he reminded everyone of his unique qualities on Saturday.
Grealish shone after being moved into the No.10 slot by England interim manager Lee Carsley, and will surely be hoping that Pep Guardiola takes note after seeing his career stagnate at club level. On this evidence, the 28-year-old deserves to be far more than just a system slave at City, who have now been shown exactly how to unlock his full potential.
Getty Images'Free spirit'
Rice also got on the scoresheet against Ireland, and took most of the plaudits for running the game from deep. But Grealish was the home side's chief tormentor in the final third.
Ireland just couldn't get a handle on the City star as he drifted across the frontline, showing off his technical prowess in tight areas while always looking to advance with quick passing combinations. Carsley's decision to deploy Grealish centrally also allowed Anthony Gordon to give England more width on the left wing, which was sorely lacking at the Euros.
The Three Lions were terrible to watch in Germany. They made it through to the final more by luck than judgement as they struggled to break down their opponents, with Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham both ineffective in dual No.10 roles. It's frustrating to think that England's outlook could have been so different had Grealish been given a seat on the plane. On this form, he is a potential game-changer against any opposition, we just haven't really seen it since his British-record £100 million ($131m) move to City in 2021.
"I think it’s really important for his confidence," Gordon said after the Ireland game. "He’s a top player, I think everyone knows that, but I think that position really suits him where he’s that free spirit. It's where he played at Aston Villa and I thought he was excellent."
AdvertisementGetty Images SportMental toughness not the issue
Grealish needs the same freedom to express himself at City. He's only managed to record 14 goals and 18 assists in 127 games for Guardiola's side to date, which are modest numbers for a player of his quality.
City secured their record-breaking fourth Premier League title in 2023-24 without really needing Grealish, who only started 10 games. He saw his minutes reduced after the arrival of Jeremy Doku, and the summer addition of Brazilian ace Savinho has only increased competition on the flanks.
In his second season at the Etihad Stadium, Grealish did play a key role in City's treble success from the left. His ability to keep possession and draw fouls made him a Guardiola favourite, but he was still a shadow of the maverick that initially saw him become a household name at Villa.
"I have to just try to use that as motivation going into this season and try to have the same mentality as I had two years ago," Grealish said in the summer. "In my first season at City, I don’t think I performed as well as I could, and in the second season I played in a lot of the games and that was down to the first season. I had wanted to come back stronger and I certainly did that, so hopefully I can do that again.”
Mental toughness is not the main thing holding Grealish back at City, though, and it never has been. He's been stripped of his creativity to serve as a functional player for Guardiola, which is a huge shame. But it doesn't have to be like that if the Spaniard takes a leaf out of Carsley's book going forward.
Getty More than a touchline-hugging facilitator
At the moment, Kevin De Bruyne is still Manchester City's first choice No.10, and rightly so. He's started the season brilliantly, with his standout display coming in a 4-1 demolition of newly-promoted Ipswich Town, but he won't continue to play every game unchallenged at 33.
Foden and Bernardo Silva can also fill that position, but Grealish could emerge as the ideal successor for De Bruyne, who is being tipped to head to MLS or Saudi Arabia when his contract expires next summer. Just because he danced circles around a distinctly average Ireland side doesn't mean Grealish is guaranteed to make the same impact for City, but he does at least deserve a chance in a new role.
It just feels like such a waste for Grealish to remain little more than a touchline-hugging facilitator. He's elusive and clever enough to evolve into City's main provider. Grealish's passing range is not far off the level of De Bruyne, and he's actually a superior ball carrier to the Belgian.
People have also forgotten that Grealish is also a very assured finisher with a natural eye for goal; the nonchalant manner in which he stroked the ball home against Ireland was a testament to that. The prospect of him working more closely with "best friend" Erling Haaland is a tantalising one, too, because it's entirely possible they could develop the same kind of partnership that De Bruyne has enjoyed with the Norwegian.
Getty ImagesAchieving perfect balance
Grealish may not have lived up to his price tag at City, but he has become a better all-round player under Guardiola's tutelage. He's more thoughtful with his end product, has learned how to draw defenders out of position with intelligent runs in behind, and works harder defensively than he did at Villa.
But in terms of pure penetration, the underlying statistics suggest he's been subdued by Guardiola's preferred system. According to , Grealish averaged 41 ball carries and 6.5 touches in the box per game in his final season at Villa Park, but only reached totals of 29 and 2.1 in those respective categories with City in 2023-24.
Grealish also managed almost double the amount of touches in general play, 61 for Villa compared to just 39 for the Premier League champions. This reflects his reluctance to take on his man in one-on-one positions and determination to follow Guardiola's strict instructions to hold his position on the left.
At Villa, Grealish had the license to roam and showed for the ball constantly with one aim: to turn and drive towards goal. Now, his first instinct is to cut back inside and lay the ball off to a team-mate.
The imagination has been coached out of Grealish, but he showed against Ireland that he hasn't completely forgotten the more direct style that set him apart from his peers in the earlier stages of his career. There is a balance to be struck between the individualist he was at Villa and the reliable metronome City fans have become accustomed to, but it won't be achieved if Grealish is forced to stay in his current role.