New Manchester City boss Enzo Maresca left the door ajar for a possible return to the squad for Jack Grealish despite rumours of an exit from the Etihad Stadium this summer.
Grealish had fallen out of favour under Pep Guardiola, and he was subsequently loaned to Everton for the duration of the 2025-26 campaign.
He made 22 appearances for David Moyes’s side in all competitions, registering two goals and six assists before sustaining a fractured foot against Aston Villa in January.
The 30-year-old’s injury required surgery and ruled him out for the rest of the season, bringing an early end to what had been a promising start to his spell on Merseyside.
At the time of his injury, his six Premier League assists were only bettered by Rayan Cherki (seven) and Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes.
In addition, he created 36 chances from open play. At that stage, only Jeremy Doku (39) and Fernandes (40) had created more such opportunities.
Grealish has been linked with a return to Everton, five years on from his £100m move to the Citizens, though Maresca did not rule out the midfielder staying at the club.
“Jack, at the moment is here. He is a Man City player. I always said, in any club I join, the players that are in the club, it is my duty to coach them,” Maresca said.
“Jack, at the moment is here. I have a good relationship with Jack. Since I left, we’ve been keeping in touch.
“The reason why is because he has a big heart and is a very good guy. We will see what happens.”
During his time at City, Grealish has made 157 appearances in all competitions, scoring 17 goals as well as providing 23 assists.
Grealish has won seven major honours with the club, including three Premier League titles and the Citizens’ maiden Champions League triumph in 2022-23.
Maresca was also on hand to discuss the future of James Trafford, who has been linked with a move to Leeds United despite only returning to City last year.
Trafford was viewed as City’s first-choice goalkeeper heading into the 2025-26 campaign after joining from Burnley following Ederson’s exit, only for the club to sign Gianluigi Donnarumma from Paris Saint-Germain late in the transfer window.
Subsequently, Trafford was restricted to 17 appearances across all competitions, mainly in the EFL Cup and FA Cup, with Elland Road now a reported destination following Karl Darlow and Illan Meslier’s exits this summer.
“I know James because he was my goalkeeper when I was working with the under 23s, so I know him well,” Maresca added on Trafford’s future at City.
“Again, when the transfer window is open – now or in January – anything can happen. We will see. At the moment, he is one of our goalkeepers.”
