Everton face nervous Jack Grealish wait as Enzo Maresca footage emerges
Everton will attempt to sign Jack Grealish from Manchester City this summer but they will have to wait for the new manager to give his verdict.
Pep Guardiola announced on Friday that he will leave the Etihad Stadium this summer after 10 years and countless trophies.
The Spaniard had been largely behind Everton’s signing of Grealish, after he made he plainly clear that the winger was not in his plans.
But the Toffees will have to wait to see if they can go ahead with their move for the 30-year-old, who scored two goals and provided six assists on loan before his season was ended by a foot injury in January.
Everton transfer chiefs will hope to negotiate a permanent deal far below the £50million buy option inserted in the loan deal.
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VISIT THE EVERTON TRANSFER HUBEnzo Maresca must give Jack Grealish verdict
Former financial adviser for the Citizens, Stefan Borson, exclusively told Football Insider last month that Man City are in talks with Enzo Maresca to replace Guardiola.
Those talks now appear to have progressed amid Guardiola’s decision to leave, with the Italian set to take over in the coming weeks.
| Enzo Maresca | Chelsea 2024-2026 |
| Wins | 55 |
| Draws | 16 |
| Losses | 21 |
| Scored | 191 |
| Conceded | 98 |
| Points per game | 1.97 |
The 46-year-old was last at Chelsea, but left in January by mutual consent after a falling out with the board.
Maresca was seeing progression at Stamford Bridge and led his team to glory in both the Conference League and the Club World Cup last year before it all came crashing down.
Before that, he had spent time at West Ham, Parma and Man City, working under Guardiola for a season before he took over Leicester City and won the Championship with them.
Clearly a capable manager, Maresca is similar to Guardiola, but has his own unique style. He will be key in determining Grealish’s future in the coming weeks.
Should he decide to keep the Englishman at the Etihad Stadium, Everton will be forced to look elsewhere.
Maresca’s relationship with Grealish could create trouble
When Chelsea beat Everton at Stamford Bridge in December, footage of Maresca and Grealish after the game emerged.
The pair had clearly been happy to see each other, and shared a big hug and a chat before saying goodbye.
@jonathankyddcfc Enzo Maresca congratulates his players and then hugs Everton’s Jack Grealish who he knew at Man City. Wanders off pitch to applause. Cheslea v Everton #grealish #jonathankyddcfc #chelsea #chelseafc #maresca ♬ The Boys Are Back In Town – Thin Lizzy
Maresca only worked with Grealish for a year at Man City, but it was undoubtedly the best year of the winger’s time at the Etihad Stadium.
From a logical perspective, it is unlikely that Grealish stays at Man City this summer. He is on huge wages, has an expiring contract and will be up against several younger options.
But Everton will be waiting nervously for the all-clear, with Maresca’s decision to prove final.
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