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JACK GREALISH is making his much-anticipated return to Villa Park today, having reached a significant milestone earlier this week.
Nevertheless, it’s not a moment that anyone connected with Manchester City would likely consider a cause for celebration.
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The last time the £100 million star found the back of the net in a competitive match for Man City was on December 16, 2023.
If Grealish were actively supporting his teammates, it might be easier to overlook his extended goal drought.
Yet, this season, he has only contributed a single assist in the Premier League.
Both his manager Pep Guardiola and Grealish have consistently insisted that his impact goes beyond mere statistics.
This has been a recurring theme throughout his 3½ years at the Etihad.
The current season was expected to be the turning point for him after his exclusion from the Euro 2024 squad.
He expressed his intentions during the club’s pre-season tour of the USA, having returned to training ahead of schedule.
His goal was to validate the choice made by former England manager Gareth Southgate, who left him out of the team heading to Germany.
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However, after five months, the wait for noticeable improvement continues.
As he returns to his former haunt for today’s afternoon match, Grealish finds himself once again at a critical juncture in his career.
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Grealish has dealt with injury setbacks and form challenges this season, having only started five league matches thus far.
Nonetheless, he has come off the bench in seven additional encounters, demonstrating he has been available for most games.
Despite this, Guardiola has predominantly chosen not to start the former Aston Villa captain, even during a considerable injury crisis within the squad.
When assessing Grealish’s current season, Guardiola mentioned: “It began well, but he has faced two or three injury setbacks.”
“He is a player who requires time and game time to regain his form and fitness. But he is mentally resilient.”
Concerning the year-long scoring drought, he remarked: “Last season was tough for him, compounded by these setbacks.”
“Naturally, forwards need to make significant contributions, but it’s not just on Grealish; several are experiencing similar issues. We’re struggling to create attacking opportunities.”
“Nonetheless, I’m hopeful that my players will eventually find their rhythm and perform to their potential.”
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However, he hasn’t consistently defended his record signing.
The City manager was furious when Grealish was summoned for the England squad during the November international break, with Grealish expressing a wish to attend.
After being sidelined from club activities for more than 2½ weeks due to injury, Guardiola believed Grealish should stay and concentrate on his recovery.
This ultimately occurred as anticipated—but only after Grealish paid a visit to St George’s Park for an assessment by the England medical team.
Upon the return of domestic football the following week, Guardiola insisted that there was no rift between them, and Grealish was once again available for selection.
He has only started three games since then—one of which saw him play in a central position during a 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest.
That match marked City’s only triumph amid their distressing 11-match winless streak, after which Guardiola indicated that Grealish could play more frequently in a central role.
However, three days later, he found himself back on the bench in the draw against Crystal Palace, further hampering their pursuit of a fifth consecutive title.
He was once again a substitute in the recent Manchester derby, coming on for Jeremy Doku with 13 minutes left while City was ahead by a goal.
Yet, he faced backlash from former Premier League star Thierry Henry, who criticized him for allegedly giving the advantage back to the Red Devils.
Following United’s 2-1 win, Henry lamented: “I was at home and screamed. I really screamed because that’s not the Jack Grealish I recognize from Villa. It’s not the Jack Grealish I saw making a name for himself at Man City.”
If he fails to improve his performances soon, Grealish might seek a transfer away from Man City next year.
The club is considering a recruitment drive in January to enhance their midfield and revitalize their season.
Additionally, new signings are anticipated in the summer, increasing the pressure on the £100 million player.
This afternoon offers a prime opportunity for him to demonstrate his skills once again.
Inside Sasha Attwood and Jack Grealish’s relationship
Sasha Attwood and Jack Grealish have recently embraced parenthood, but their relationship spans over a decade…
The couple first met as teenagers in Solihull, West Midlands, with Sasha revealing they have been together since she was 15.
At the time, Jack was already on the path to becoming a professional footballer.
Despite the longevity of their relationship, she often maintained a low profile while Jack’s career ascended.
However, the attention surrounding Jack’s personal life surged in 2021 when England reached the Euro 2020 final, which had been postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
As a result of their relationship, Sasha faced harsh harassment from trolls on TikTok and Instagram, receiving up to 200 death threats daily from “young girls.”
The couple was later spotted on holiday post-tournament and gradually began sharing more about their relationship on social media once the trolling subsided.
In 2022, they celebrated their 10-year anniversary by purchasing a lavish seven-bedroom mansion set on 24 acres, valued at £5.6 million.
They moved into their new home in late 2023, but Sasha and some of Jack’s relatives encountered a frightening burglary while watching one of his matches on TV soon after Christmas.
The couple’s latest milestone is Sasha’s pregnancy, announced on social media on July 7, culminating in the birth of their daughter, Mila Rose, on September 27.
