Jack Grealish’s final objective for Manchester Metropolis was in December 2023. Since then the previous £100m man has performed over 1,547 minutes of soccer with out discovering the web.
The final time Grealish peeled off in jubilation to rejoice a objective of his personal was throughout a 2-2 draw in opposition to Crystal Palace on the Etihad on December sixteenth 2023.
Centre stage within the final three Metropolis Premier League title parades, the previous Aston Villa talisman’s greatest spell in a sky blue shirt got here throughout his second season on the membership, enjoying a key position in Metropolis’s treble marketing campaign.
Making a complete of fifty appearances in 2022/23, Grealish marked his contribution to the treble by starring in each victories in opposition to title rivals Arsenal as his facet completed 5 factors forward of the Gunners.
In Europe, he performed each sport within the knockout stage, together with routs in opposition to RB Leipzig and Actual Madrid over two-legged ties earlier than enjoying each minute of the ultimate. Grealish additionally began the first-ever Manchester Derby FA Cup last the place Metropolis had been additionally triumphant.
So how did he discover himself in a barren spell?
Accidents upsetting rhythm
Accidents have price Grealish a constant run in Pep Guardiola’s facet. Through the 2023/24 marketing campaign, he missed 15 video games attributable to harm. Separate circumstances of a groin and hamstring harm ensured he was sidelined for 59 days final season.
Because of fixed issues, Grealish struggled to seek out any actual rhythm on the Etihad final season. Solely that includes in three consecutive league video games twice, an inconsistent spell of health meant that even when he performed, the maverick who as soon as captivated Premier League followers was a shell of his former self.
This season, regardless of making 10 league appearances, Grealish has solely accomplished one 90 minutes as Metropolis ended their winless run in a complete show on the Etihad with a 3-0 win in opposition to Nottingham Forest.
Had been targets ever the primary a part of his sport?
A free position in a quantity 10 beneath Dean Smith is how Metropolis had been lured into shelling out a file payment for a British participant. Grealish’s potential to hold the ball not solely dragged his facet up the pitch to create points for the opposition but in addition drove his boyhood membership to security. Grealish was the large fish in a Villa facet that did not maintain the promise it does at the moment.
Nonetheless, regardless of his constant shows, and awe-inspiring moments in claret and blue, Grealish’s profession excessive for Premier League targets was eight. His last season noticed him discover the web six instances however included three months out with a shin harm.
His complete within the Premier League is 26 in 180 video games which means he averages 0.14 targets per match video games within the English high flight. Even at his best, targets have by no means been the primary focus of Grealish’s sport.
Hope in a brand new position?
Grealish shone in a extra central position in opposition to Nottingham Forest
Regardless of underwhelming at membership stage, Grealish has remained within the worldwide body. Omitted from Gareth Southgate’s last Euro 2024 squad, Grealish discovered favour with former interim boss Lee Carsley scoring twice in three video games.
His caps beneath Carsley noticed him take up a distinct position than he had been doing for his membership beforehand. In a free-roaming central position, paying homage to his latter days at Villa, Grealish confirmed shades of what he was once.
The targets whereas important, supplemented general performances in each video games in opposition to the Republic of Eire and Finland.
A lot so, when tasked by Guardiola to hold out an identical position as Metropolis aimed to finish a run of seven video games with out a win, he appeared simply as shiny.
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Highlights from the Premier League match between Manchester Metropolis and Nottingham Fores
“Our football is always built from the midfield,” Guardiola mentioned following the victory in opposition to Forest.
“They make our tempo and the way we have to play – we controlled the game, and Jack gave us that pace. When it came to accelerating and controlling, he did it really well. I’m so happy for him.
“I do know his high quality. He has the attributes to play holding midfield. He can hold the ball, break the traces and he has composure.”
It feels as if Grealish’s profession has been on standby for a while however in a tweaked position, the indicators look constructive.
