After his time at Man City, where will Grealish go?

Jack Grealish is at the most important crossroads of his career.

When the image of Grealish appeared next to the legendary Olof Mellberg flooded social networks, the hearts of Aston Villa fans could not help but flutter at the romantic scenario: the elite son returned to his old home. But football, as usual, is not simply about emotions.

Grealish left Villa in 2021 in a record £100m deal that was supposed to catapult him to superstardom under Pep Guardiola. But three seasons at Manchester City have left Grealish with more than just trophies: an increasingly marginal role, a lack of confidence and the high price of not being himself.

His omission from the Club World Cup squad marks the end of his time at the Etihad, and it sets the stage for a summer of uncertainty, one in which Grealish must answer the question: how does he want to return to the limelight?

Aston Villa, of course, is the first name that comes to mind. It’s not just his former club, but also his identity, his childhood, and the place where Grealish made his name. Unai Emery is building an inspiring project, and no one would be surprised if Grealish returned to Villa Park in a fully emotional scenario.

Grealish left Villa in 2021 in a record £100m deal.

But the relationship between the two sides is no longer intact. The cold reception from Villa Park fans at their reunion last season left scars on Grealish and his family.

The boos were a harsh reminder that football has no room for nostalgia without a dose of reality. He is not the first to feel that way – Ashley Young has been booed, then hailed as a hero – but that does not mean that every rift can be mended.

Emotions are one thing, finances are another. Villa, despite their ambitions, have struggled to comply with Premier League and UEFA financial fair play rules. Grealish’s huge salary at Man City is a significant burden. With the club tightening their belts to compete in the Europa League, an “emotional” signing could well go against their sustainable strategy.

Furthermore, Grealish’s personal image is a double-edged sword. One sporting director bluntly stated: “He needs to adjust his lifestyle.” Whether that is a biased view or not, it is clear that Grealish is paying the price for the doubts that have long haunted him – about his discipline, about his professionalism, and about his consistency in performance.

So the possibility of going abroad cannot be ruled out. Serie A is reviving thanks to a wave of English players: McTominay, Gilmour, or before that Tomori, Abraham. La Liga has always attracted technical players like Grealish, and clubs like AC Milan or Real Sociedad can absolutely provide the right environment for him to renew himself.

It's time for Jack Grealish to stop living in the glow of the past.

However, the valuable point about Grealish is that he still maintains his steadfastness and positive spirit. In the Man City dressing room, the English midfielder is always considered to bring positive energy, unite the team and spend a lot of time on charity activities. What Grealish showed in the FA Cup semi-final or in the training sessions at the end of the season shows that he still has a thirst, still wants to prove that he is not a useless luxury item.

The point is that he has to act – and act properly. There is no time for emotional choices. If he wants to start, if he wants to play in the Euros or the World Cup, Grealish has to reset expectations, change his mindset and accept the trade-offs.

A reunion with Villa, if it happens, would be a healing journey for both sides. But if not, at the very least, Grealish needs to find a place where he is valued, where he can play, and where he can be himself. Because time - like a great career - waits for no one.

It's time for Jack Grealish to stop living in the shadow of the past. It's time for him to rewrite his own future.

Source: https://znews.vn/het-thoi-o-man-city-grealish-di-dau-post1558665.html