Man City star Jack Grealish sends message to Riyad Mahrez in Saudi Arabia
Jack Grealish sent a message via social media to former Man City star Riyad Mahrez following the winger’s most recent exploits in Saudi Arabia.
The 34-year-old has lit up the Saudi Pro League since leaving England in the summer of 2023, notching 25 goals and 27 assists in 67 appearances for Al Ahli, managing a goal contribution every 112 minutes.
While his stats at the Etihad Stadium were not nearly as impressive as that, his 78 goals and 56 assists, combined with his breathtaking abilities with the ball at his feet, made him a favourite at Man City.
Mahrez clearly still has connections to his former teammates back in Manchester, receiving a message from current winger Grealish following his brace against Al-Rayyan on Tuesday 11 March.
Jack Grealish applauds Riyad Mahrez after Al Ahli display
Despite Ivan Toney, Roberto Firmino and Wenderson Galeno making up a star-studded lineup, it was Mahrez’s two goals which helped Al Ahli advance to the AFC Champions League Elite quarter-finals.
Taking to Instagram [11 March], the Algerian wrote: “Keep calm and on to the quarter-finals,” with a green heart and trophy emojis, with Grealish commenting with three clapping emojis.
Jack Grealish could be next name out of Man City exit doors
Grealish is one of the many names tipped for a Man City exit, with many fans believing a return to Aston Villa could be on the cards for the 29-year-old this summer.
Kevin De Bruyne could also be in his final season at Man City, which would leave Pep Guardiola with quite the squad rebuild in front of him ahead of the summer transfer window.
| Player | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| Jack Grealish | 151 | 16 | 23 |
Erling Haaland, Savinho, Nico Gonzalez, Phil Foden and Abdukodir Khusanov are all ready to lead City into the next era at the Etihad Stadium, but that is unlikely to stop the entire squad being evaluated.
Guardiola has seriously struggled to get the best out of his players this season, with City sitting fifth in the Premier League table, out of the Champions League and EFL Cup, with only the FA Cup left to fight for.
Of course, qualification to the Champions League is of vital importance ahead of next season, but with Chelsea, Nottingham Forest, Newcastle and Brighton all battling for a spot, it is much easier said than done.