Maresca's Decision on Grealish as Everton Eyes Return

Enzo Maresca has barely taken his seat at Manchester City and already one of his biggest early calls is staring him in the face: what to do with Jack Grealish.

The £100m forward is back at City, back in Manchester, and back in limbo.

Everton want him. The player is understood to be keen on the idea of returning to Hill Dickinson Stadium after a loan spell that briefly lit up their season. City, though, are leaning towards a permanent sale rather than another short-term fix. And Maresca? He’s not closing anything down.

“At the moment, he’s here. He’s a Man City player,” the Italian said in his first press conference as the club’s new manager. No big declarations. No public shop window. Just a clear message: while Grealish is on the books, he’s his responsibility.

Maresca knows him well. He worked under Pep Guardiola at the Etihad before heading out on his own to Leicester City and Chelsea, and the relationship with Grealish never really broke. “I like to know if there are players that belong to the club. It’s my duty to try to coach them,” Maresca explained, adding that he and Grealish have stayed in touch because “he has a big heart and he’s a very good guy.”

Then came the line that will keep agents, directors and fans guessing: “And then we see what happens.”

Everton wait – but fitness comes first

Everton’s position is simple. They want him back. They believe Grealish wants the same.

Last season’s loan was cut short, but it still left a mark. The England international delivered two late match-winning goals and six assists before his campaign ended abruptly in January. The cruel twist came at Aston Villa, his former club, where a stress fracture in his foot in a 1-0 win stopped him cold just as he looked ready to drive Everton’s survival push.

He never played again that season. Yet he stayed at Finch Farm until the loan officially expired last month, rehabbing among familiar faces, still part of Sean Dyche’s environment even if he was technically City’s man.

Now the 30-year-old is back at the Etihad, edging closer to full training. Any move – loan, permanent or otherwise – will have to wait until the medical reports are as convincing as the highlight reels.

City’s stance matters. The champions are said to prefer a clean break if Grealish leaves, a permanent exit rather than another temporary switch. That immediately narrows the field. Everton’s desire is clear, but desire doesn’t pay transfer fees or wages.

For now, Grealish runs, recovers and reconnects with a manager who rates his character and insists he will coach whoever belongs to the club. The next step in his career hangs on two things: a fully healed foot and whether Maresca sees him as part of City’s next evolution or a valuable asset to cash in on.

The clock is ticking. Which badge will Grealish be kissing when the season starts?