Manchester City are continuing talks with Enzo Maresca this week about succeeding Pep Guardiola, and that is where the obvious headline sits. The more interesting football angle is what follows if he arrives. For Jack Grealish, a player who cost City a British record £100m in 2021 and spent this season on loan at Everton, the change could offer a route back into the squad rather than a clean break.

Why Grealish could benefit most

Grealish's situation has drifted for a while, which is why this managerial change matters. He is due to return from Everton, not as a player with a settled future but as one whose place needs reassessing.

The numbers from his 2025 league season are hardly overwhelming, but they are not the numbers of a player who disappeared completely. He made 20 appearances, played 1631 minutes, scored 2 goals, posted 6 goal contributions and recorded a 7.2 rating. His last five Premier League ratings were 7.6, 7.2, 6.9, 6.3 and 6.2.

That reads like a player who has still been serviceable through an uncertain year, not one who has played himself out of contention. If Manchester City are about to change the voice in the dugout, Grealish has a better chance of being looked at again on his current level rather than his standing under Guardiola.

Paul Merson made the broad case for Maresca's fit on Sky Sports, and that matters here because continuity usually helps fringe players more than chaos does. He said: "I liked him at Chelsea. I thought he was a good manager. He's going into Man City, he's been there before, he's worked in the Premier League before. He knows some of the players at City. I think he ticks every box. He's not coming in trying to get used to the place, he's not coming into a league that he's never been in. I think he'll go in and settle quite nicely."

If Merson is right about the transition being smooth, Grealish may be one of the first players to benefit from it. New managers often trust players they inherit before demanding a replacement, and that is especially true when the player in question once cost £100m.

Why the move still is not done

This is where the reporting needs a bit of discipline. Some coverage has pushed the idea that Maresca's move is virtually complete. The stronger line in the brief is that talks are continuing and the proposed three-year deal is not yet fully agreed.

That distinction matters because the handover is not just about naming Guardiola's successor. Maresca left Chelsea with three-and-a-half years left on his contract, so there are obvious contractual and compensation issues around the switch.

There is also wider change around the staff. City announced on Tuesday that Pep Ljinders, Kolo Toure, Lorenzo Buenaventura, Manel Estiarte and Xabi Mancisidor are leaving the Etihad. That suggests a bigger reset than a simple one-man replacement, even though the club's league position says they are not fixing a broken side. They are second in the Premier League with 78 points from 37 games.

Merson also pointed to the squad side of the job, saying: "They'll need a few players as well. But this is the problem: Liverpool, Arsenal, Man City, Man United, Chelsea all need players. There's not that many players around. Who's going to be able to produce and give the most money to these players?"

That is another reason Grealish could become relevant again. If Manchester City are entering a summer where staff are changing and the market is crowded, reintegrating an expensive player already on the books becomes a practical option as much as a football one.

What happens next for City and Grealish

For now, the safest reading is still the clearest one: Maresca is in talks, not officially in post. Grealish is due back from Everton, not already restored to Manchester City's squad for next season.

Still, the idea is not hard to see. A new coach with knowledge of the club, a wide player whose value has dropped from where it once stood, and a team managing a broader transition can create an opening. Grealish's season has been mixed, but it has given him enough minutes and enough usable form to argue for one more look.

If Maresca's deal is finalised, Grealish will not automatically become central again. He may, though, stop looking like a problem City need to move on from and start looking like a player worth reassessing in pre-season.

FAQ

Could Enzo Maresca bring Jack Grealish back into Manchester City's plans?

He could. The brief points to Grealish as one of the most interesting knock-on effects of Maresca's expected move. Grealish is due to return from his loan at Everton, and the change in manager may reopen the door after he fell out of favour under Pep Guardiola.

Has Enzo Maresca already been appointed Manchester City manager?

No. Manchester City are continuing talks with Enzo Maresca this week about succeeding Pep Guardiola, but the deal is not fully agreed. Some coverage has implied the move is close, yet the stronger sourcing in the brief says negotiations are still ongoing.

How has Jack Grealish performed during his Everton loan?

The numbers are modest but not disastrous. Grealish has 20 appearances, 1631 minutes, 2 goals, 6 goal contributions and a 7.2 rating in the Premier League. His last five league ratings were 7.6, 7.2, 6.9, 6.3 and 6.2, which suggests he has still been a usable regular option.

Why could Chelsea be involved in the Maresca to Manchester City move?

Maresca left Chelsea with three-and-a-half years left on his contract, so the staffing change may not be straightforward. The brief says compensation could be due, which is why Chelsea's side of the situation still matters while Manchester City continue talks.

Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 3 outlets. How we work →