Manchester City’s Premier League campaign took another disappointing turn as they settled for a frustrating draw against Everton at the Etihad Stadium. The reigning champions, once seen as indomitable, are now grappling with their worst form of the season—a staggering record of only one win in their last thirteen matches across all competitions.
City got off to what appeared to be the perfect start when Bernardo Silva found the back of the net just 14 minutes in, capitalizing on Jeremy Doku’s assist with a deflected finish. Their promising momentum, punctuated by Josko Gvardiol's header hitting the post, seemed to dissipate as Everton leveled the score with Iliman Ndiaye’s exquisite strike right before half-time.
Despite numerous attempts to retake the lead, including Erling Haaland's missed penalty saved by Jordan Pickford, City failed to break down Everton’s defense. Instead, they were left picking up the pieces of yet another lackluster performance, now sitting sixth in the Premier League table, eleven points behind the leaders, Liverpool.
Within this backdrop of struggle, calls for midfielder Jack Grealish to reassess his place at the club have emerged. Having joined Manchester City for a record £100 million from Aston Villa, Grealish has not managed to shine as expected. With only two assists to his name over 18 appearances this season, the England international's contribution has been minimal, and his once-bright prospects seem to be dimming.
Former Aston Villa star, Lee Hendrie, has been vocal about Grealish's need to return to his roots at Villa Park to revitalize his career. Hendrie pointed out, “It’s at the stage now where Jack should probably be thinking about leaving the football club.” He remarked on how the move to City has not been the success many had hoped it to be, even though Grealish has won several trophies with the team.
Hendrie emphasized the importance of personal happiness in the game, asserting, “He needs to find his enjoyment in playing again.” He believes Villa wouldn’t be seeking Grealish for financial gain but rather for the impact he could have on the club’s progression and competitiveness.
The sentiment shared by Hendrie resonates with many fans who are yearning for the return of the vibrant, fearless player Grealish once was at Villa. He adds, “I know the Villa fans have giving him some stick, but I think they would love to see him back at Villa Park. He wouldn’t be coming for a payday; he’d be coming to win something with Villa and help take the club up a level.”
The Manchester City faithful are undoubtedly concerned about their team's inability to finish games and capitalize on key opportunities. Manager Pep Guardiola, once heralded for his tactical brilliance, now faces scrutiny as the pressure mounts. With City’s last win coming on December 4 against Nottingham Forest, they now find themselves three points behind fourth-place Nottingham and struggling just to keep pace with the top clubs.
Indeed, the current state of the team raises significant questions about their strategy and execution. Observers note the stark difference between Grealish’s performances for England, where he seems to play with more freedom, compared to the subdued role he’s adopted at City under Guardiola’s demands.
“We have only seen snippets of Grealish at his best,” Hendrie continued, noting the challenges players like Grealish face adjusting to different styles of play. His sentiments echo the doubts shared by many fans about whether City’s star-studded lineup can return to form or if individuals like Grealish might benefit from seeking new surroundings to reignite their careers.
The road ahead for Manchester City is fraught with challenges. With the pressure of expectations mounting and players like Grealish grappling with form, the club must urgently find solutions to reverse their recent fortunes. Upcoming matches will be pivotal—can City rediscover their winning mentality before the season slips away?
