The £100 Million Mistake: Why He’s No Longer Wanted

In 2021, Jack Grealish was one of the hottest talents in European football, starring for his boyhood club and dazzling fans in the Premier League due to his flair. With seven goals and 10 assists recorded in his final season at Villa Park, Grealish moved to Aston Villa for a British record fee of £100m.

At face value, Grealish has achieved all that he wanted to at Manchester City - having picked up an impressive haul of trophies. Three Premier League titles, one UEFA Champions League, one Super Cup, one FA Cup, and one FIFA Club World Cup.

Just here to flex Jack Grealish trophies. https://t.co/2WC64HDNMx pic.twitter.com/c0VzBsveHu

— DSK (@0161Darren) February 1, 2025

The 29-year-old was an important part of City’s phenomenal treble in the 2022/23 season. However, two years later, Grealish seems to be out of Pep Guardiola's plans and the Citizens’ squad for the 2025 Club World Cup.

But through assessing his time in Manchester, why was Grealish a £100m mistake, and why is he no longer wanted by Pep Guardiola?

Fading Out In A System

Jack Grealish in the Premier League since the end of the World Cup:

◎ 14 games
◎ 5 assists
◎ 3 goals
◉ Most fouls won
◉ 2nd-most take-ons completed
◉ 2nd-most xA open-play
◉ 2nd-most assists
◉ 3rd-most duels won
◉ 4th-most touches in opp. box

Jack's back. pic.twitter.com/d4X7FWl0wW

— Squawka (@Squawka) April 3, 2023

For a player like Grealish, the intrigue and selling factor is his playstyle. A maverick and a creator, upon moving to Manchester, there were not many players in the Premier League like him.

In his early days at City, Grealish was able to retain the elements of his skillset that made him such a sought-after player, staking his place as one of England’s most exciting talents joining England’s best team. Scoring six goals and assisting four in all competitions in his first year, the 29-year-old followed it up with five goals and 11 assists in his second.

Joining forces with Erling Haaland in 2022, the situation seemed perfect for Grealish. Partnering with arguably the best striker in the world, the former Aston Villa man had a perfect teammate - it looked like guaranteed goals.

Jack Grealish has changed his passing style to fit into Pep Guardiola's system, but his attacking output at LW is still as high as ever. Appreciate the versatility as well as the skill:#Grealish #MCFC #ManCity pic.twitter.com/eiYsIfAvDm

— Smarterscout (@smarterscout) September 22, 2021

However, in 2023, City signed Jeremy Doku to the club, a young and dynamic wide man from Rennes who had a similar playstyle to Grealish. This would be the start of the end for the Englishman, competing against a fellow star in his position, who physically fitted a Guardiola system better compared to Grealish due to his pace.

In Doku’s first year in Manchester, Grealish played just 20 games in the English top flight, the smallest amount of league football that the former Villa man had played since the 2015/16 season. Furthermore, he only started in 10 of these showings.

The 29-year-old's knack for flair and direct play seemed, at this point, to have disappeared from his arsenal. Grealish no longer could express himself on the pitch like in his days at Villa – his role was to now hug the touchline and pass the ball inside to a midfielder or his full-back. The winger seemed to lack confidence and was afraid to attack defenders.

Jack Grealish has that rare skill of progressing the ball effectively by either passing or dribbling. pic.twitter.com/Ytt28gN7Mi

— Jon Ollington (@jonollington) July 30, 2020

From 2022/23 to the 2023/24 seasons, Grealish’s numbers had gone down in every aspect, especially in his key attribute of dribbling. In 2022/23, per 90, the 29-year-old averaged 1.96 successful dribbles and a dribble success of 61.6%. The £100m-man was one of England’s top entertainers. Dribbling, close control, and technical wide-play, that was Grealish.

On the other hand, in 2023/24, Grealish recorded just 1.62 successful dribbles per 90 – assisting just one goal in the league season.

Now with just one goal and one assist last season, Grealish has been ousted from the Citizens squad, and is unavailable to play for the Club World Cup. Slower and losing his creative mojo, the 29-year-old is nowhere near the same player that he used to be, and in the modern football landscape, many are beginning to name the winger a flop.

Was Jack Grealish Worth £100m?

OFFICIAL: Manchester City sign Jack Grealish from Aston Villa for a Premier League record £100M/$140M ✨ pic.twitter.com/6Ur3ReQX3e

— B/R Football (@brfootball) August 5, 2021

When assessing the success of a signing like Grealish for City, people will immediately look towards recent times and his absence in the campaign just gone. However, initially, Grealish to City appeared a match made in heaven, and an addition that could not go wrong.

He lifted trophies and played a part in arguably the best squad in Man City history, and one of the best sides in Premier League history.

Nevertheless, Grealish was known as a dribbler. A rare, one of one player who had a loud personality and expressed himself on the football pitch. But now, Grealish is a shadow of himself, looking defeated compared to his fellow wingers at the club.

G/A this PL season:

1 — Jack Grealish total
1.5 — Mo Salah per game pic.twitter.com/VQGhHReqiy

— StatMuse FC (@statmusefc) February 23, 2025

Looking towards stats, Grealish may deserve more of a chance under Guardiola despite limited minutes, he sits above 91% of attacking midfielders and wingers for touches and chances created. Per 90, the 39-time England international also averages 2.33 chances created.

Ignoring the questions over whether his downfall in Manchester has been due to circumstance or ability, looking back it is clear to see that the creator was not worthy of the £100m price tag that was paid for him – City would’ve expected an elite player that would contribute for the club consistently for several years.

He’s no Timo Werner at Chelsea or a Jadon Sancho at United, but it is fair to use the term ‘flop’ to describe the most expensive British player ever.

Is There Hope For The Englishman?

Being absent in the registration for the Club World Cup, Grealish will almost definitely depart the Etihad this summer, and the Englishman could still be a great option for many teams in the Premier League.

Grealish might not be a cheap target, however, with City potentially wanting a small or fair return for their record signing, and also due to his likely high wage demands.

🚨❌ BREAKING: Jack Grealish has been left out of Manchester City squad for the FIFA Club World Cup, official.

Grealish, expected to leave Man City this summer. pic.twitter.com/m2vxY2rWwJ

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 11, 2025

A team like Everton or Tottenham could be a brilliant move for the former Champions League winner, the 29-year-old moving towards the end of his prime and needing a move to a large club that can offer game-time.

A homecoming back to Villa Park could also be possible, but it is safe to say that the next move in the career of Grealish has to be perfect, and he needs to change people’s opinions of him being a £100m flop.