Jack Grealish has denied Manchester City the chance to show what they are missing as Josep Guardiola’s side take on Everton in the Premier League in a 3pm kick-off on Saturday.
Everton face Manchester City in the Premier League on Saturday, but they will have to do without their latest star, Jack Grealish. The Toffees signed 30-year-old Grealish on a season-long loan from City in August, hoping to revive his career which had slumped under manager Josep Guardiola.
In less than two months, the former Aston Villa captain has done just that. Grealish has featured in eight league games, scoring one goal and providing four assists, the latter of which is the most in the top flight.
The England international, who has 39 caps, creates the second-highest number of chances behind Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes. However, Grealish will not be allowed to improve at his old club, the Etihad Stadium.
The Premier League has long banned players from playing against their parent clubs, meaning Grealish will be ineligible for both Saturday’s game and the return match on Merseyside in May. The Premier League’s handbook states: “During the temporary transfer period, players must not play against the transferred club.”
The same applies to the FA Cup, although not the Carabao Cup. It also does not apply to UEFA competitions such as the Champions League, which is why former City right-back Joao Cancelo played against his parent club when he was on loan at Bayern Munich in 2023.
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So Grealish will have to watch from the sidelines as David Moyes’ men look to upset Guardiola and co in their own backyard. City’s manager would also have wanted to feature the 30-year-old.
“That’s the rule,” Guardiola said at the pre-match press conference. “If I were CEO or president of a big organization in England I would probably change that. It would be great if he played, but I have no opinion.”
Meanwhile, Moyes admitted: “Jack was playing very well so he will be missed for us. But we will adjust, prepare and be ready.”
Grealish’s absence could pave the way for Tyler Dibling to start. Moyes hopes the former Southampton prospect can learn from his team-mates after joining Everton for £40m this summer.
“I hope Tyler can understand what he sees from Jack, but it’s never easy,” the Toffees boss explained. “When you sign a player, it’s not easy for everything to work right away, especially in a world where everything is expected right away.
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“I already told him, ‘You should watch Jack and see what he does.’ But Tyler is a really good football player. I’ve been really impressed with his football since he’s been here.
“He just needs a little time. It was a little bit unlucky to get sent off (against Crystal Palace) but we had to do something to change the course of the game.”
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