Manchester City’s new manager Enzo Maresca was asked about the future of Jack Grealish, who was loaned to Everton for £100m last season.
Jack Grealish’s future is currently up in the air (Image: Darren Staples/AFP)
Enzo Maresca has refused to close the door on Jack Grealish remaining at Manchester City despite predictions that he will be released this summer.
Grealish fell out of favor at City under Maresca’s predecessor, Josep Guardiola, before joining Everton on loan. His one-year spell at Everton was interrupted by a stress fracture in his foot, leaving the 30-year-old in a difficult position heading into the off-season.
Following Guardiola’s decision to leave the club at the end of last season, City are entering a new era under Maresca.
And the Italian stopped short of completely writing off Grealish, who starred at the club he joined for £100m in 2021.
“At the moment he is here. He is a Man City player,” Maresca said on Friday when asked about Grealish, who he worked with when he was Guardiola’s assistant.
“I always said the same thing. At any club I play for, I want to know if there are any players at that club. It’s my duty to coach them. Jack is here. I’ve had a good relationship with Jack since he left. We also keep in touch because he has a big heart and is a very good guy. That’s why. And we’ll see what happens.”
Grealish is now officially back on City’s books, but remained at Everton’s Finch Farm training base following the injury.
Jack Grealish has been frozen out by Pep Guardiola (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Everton are understood to be keen to bring Grealish back to Merseyside once he is fully fit. Grealish scored two goals and provided six assists for the Toffees before suffering an injury against his former club Aston Villa.
Despite being frozen out by Guardiola, the former City center hinted last October that Grealish could still have a future at the club. “I think he has one more year of contract with us,” Guardiola said before City’s match against Everton. “The important thing is that he’s back. He has a huge influence on Everton’s game. After what happened, maybe Manchester City might want him back, but I don’t know.”
“There’s still a lot to come. We’ll see. The important thing is that he’s going to play a lot of minutes again. That’s the standard. I’m really, honestly happy that he’s back and doing his best.”
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