Jack Grealish's Man City career is not finished, Maresca U-turn will change everything

Jack Grealish's Manchester City hourglass was seemingly running out of sand after he secured a second consecutive loan move to Everton.

The 31-year-old's contract at the Etihad Stadium is set to expire next summer, essentially meaning that could never play for Man City again.

Supporters are extremely thankful for the six years he's given to the Citizens, while some want to see even more from him.

The threat of relegation to the Championship certainly makes planning for next summer much trickier, as the club's 114 charges hangs over like a dark cloud.

Before all of that exploded, it seemed like Enzo Maresca was seriously considering keeping Grealish for the 2026-27 campaign, but he eventually joined the Toffees at the 11th hour.

But just because his Man City contract expires at the same time as his Everton one doesn't mean that his future has to be over in M11.

Jack Grealish could earn himself a new Man City contract

Clearly still recovering fully from his injury last season, Grealish has only started two games for David Moyes' side in 2026-27.

He started against Wolves in the Carabao Cup and Ipswich Town in the Premier League, helping the Toffees to wins in each of them.

And while he has yet to open his account for the campaign, having done so easily last term with two goals and six assists, he remains one of the most creative players in the division.

Of any player to feature for more than 90 minutes in the Premier League this season, the 31-year-old winger has the most chances per 90 [Squawka].

That puts him above Man City duo Rayan Cherki and Ryan McAidoo, Manchester United's Marcus Rashford and Tottenham Hotspur's Savio.

Clearly, with Everton ranking 12th for xG created in the Premier League, it is his teammates letting him down in the final third, not the other way around.

Could Man City really be relegated next summer?

Man City's current situation is totally unprecedented, meaning that Maresca and his team must be prepared for any eventuality.

Keith Wyness has told Football Insider that he believes a 50-point deduction is on the cards, but that doesn't guarantee relegation.

There's no doubt that should the Citizens be relegated to the Championship, Grealish would be a cheat code in attack.

Sure, his minutes would need to be managed, but as an experienced winger in the second tier of English football, a new contract is really a no-brainer.