Maresca hints Grealish can earn City future after first appearance in a year

Enzo Maresca has offered Jack Grealish a conditional path back into Manchester City’s plans, saying players who earn their place through work rate and performance will get minutes — but stopped short of guaranteeing the 30-year-old a permanent role at the Etihad.

Grealish made his first appearance in approximately a year when he came on at half-time during City’s Community Shield defeat to Arsenal, a game in which the team were already 2-0 down when he entered the pitch. Maresca, who has replaced Pep Guardiola in the dugout, acknowledged the difficult circumstances but gave a measured endorsement of the winger’s cameo.

“Jack was inside when we were 2-0 down so the game already became complicated after that, but overall I think Jack was good,” Maresca said. “The ones that are still here and want to work every day and if they deserve they’re going to get minutes. At the moment the transfer window is open and we will see what happens.”

Grealish, once the club’s record signing, has seen his role diminish sharply at City. He started just one Premier League match since December 2024 and spent last season on loan at Everton, who chose not to sign him permanently.

His prospects at City this season may depend heavily on squad movement in wide areas. Savinho has been linked with a move to Tottenham, while Omar Marmoush is also attracting interest, and departures in those positions could open the door for Grealish. Jeremy Doku and Antoine Semenyo are currently considered the first-choice wide options, meaning Grealish would need to displace established competition to reclaim a regular starting berth.

City’s summer is far from settled in other areas too. Barcelona have agreed a fee of more than £60 million for Rodri, who has entered the final year of his contract and could return to Spain. Midfielder Elliot Anderson has already arrived from Nottingham Forest in a club-record deal, and City are reportedly pursuing Lille’s Morocco international Ayyoub Bouaddi for around £85 million, with Enzo Fernandez also on their radar.

With the transfer window still open and significant movement possible in both directions, Grealish’s situation at the Etihad remains genuinely uncertain heading into the new season.