Grealish returns for City in Community Shield loss but transfer future remains unresolved

Jack Grealish made his first appearance for Manchester City in more than a year when he came on at half-time in Sunday’s Community Shield, only for the occasion to be overshadowed by a 3-0 defeat to Arsenal.

The winger had spent the second half of last season on loan at Everton after Pep Guardiola deemed him surplus to requirements at the Etihad. That spell on Merseyside was cut short by injury, though Grealish did enough to earn positive reviews from Everton supporters before returning to Manchester.

Grealish was absent from City’s pre-season tour of Asia as he continued his recovery, but rejoined first-team training after the squad returned and featured in a session at the Joie Stadium on Thursday. His inclusion on the bench against Arsenal marked his first involvement with the senior squad since Guardiola’s farewell.

New head coach Enzo Maresca was non-committal when asked about Grealish’s prospects at the club after the defeat. “The ones that are still here and want to work every day and if they deserve they’re going to get minutes,” Maresca said. “At the moment the transfer window is open and we will see what happens.”

Fan opinion appears equally divided. A poll run by the Manchester Evening News during and after the match showed 48 per cent of City readers in favour of selling Grealish, 47 per cent against, and five per cent unsure — a split that reflects the uncertainty surrounding his long-term future at the club.

With the transfer window still active, City’s decision on whether to cash in on the England international or reintegrate him into Maresca’s plans looks set to remain unresolved for some time yet.