Jack Grealish’s Post Just Minutes After Man City 1-2 Brighton Goes Viral
Jack Grealish has once again found himself at the centre of headlines after a social media post from the on-loan Everton winger went viral, with many interpreting it as a thinly-veiled dig at his parent club, Manchester City. The incident unfolded shortly after City’s surprising 2-1 defeat to Brighton on Sunday, a result that left Pep Guardiola’s side languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League table.
For Grealish, however, life on Merseyside could hardly be more different. The 29-year-old has hit the ground running at Everton, producing four assists in just three Premier League matches, quickly establishing himself as one of the league’s most in-form creators. His dazzling start is a stark contrast to the inconsistent and often frustrating spell he endured in Manchester, where expectations were sky-high following his record-breaking £100 million move from Aston Villa in 2021.
From Misfit at City to Star at Everton
During his three years at the Etihad, Grealish never quite managed to replicate the form that made him Aston Villa’s talisman. Despite making 157 appearances for City across all competitions, his return of 17 goals and 23 assists always felt underwhelming given both his price tag and the faith Guardiola initially placed in him. His struggles to fit into City’s highly-structured tactical system saw him gradually fall down the pecking order, becoming more of a rotation option rather than a guaranteed starter.
By the second half of last season, his opportunities had dried up almost entirely. He started just once in the Premier League from January onwards – a 2-0 victory over Leicester City in which he managed to score. Yet even that performance wasn’t enough to spark a revival of his City career. For many fans, he appeared stifled, shackled by Guardiola’s rigid demands and stripped of the creative freedom that once made him one of England’s most entertaining players.
Now at Everton, Grealish looks reborn. David Moyes, back in charge at Goodison Park and armed with a much-improved squad, has given the winger license to express himself in a system that values flair and invention in the final third. Everton’s summer signings, including Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Senegalese forward Iliman Ndiaye, have provided additional support, and together they’ve transformed the Toffees into one of the Premier League’s early surprise packages.
A Dig at City?
In the wake of City’s defeat to Brighton, Grealish wasted little time making his feelings known. Posting on Instagram shortly after full-time, the winger appeared to take a swipe at his parent club, with the tone of his message strongly suggesting relief at no longer being part of the Etihad setup. The post was deleted soon after, but not before it spread like wildfire across social media platforms.
Fans quickly picked up on the perceived shade. One user commented: “Shading Man City? Bold move when you’re still on their books.” Another added: “He was a prisoner at City. Now we’re seeing the real Grealish.” A third went further, directly blaming Guardiola: “They caged him. The problem was Pep all along.”
Whether intentional or not, the post has intensified the sense that Grealish has little desire to return to Manchester once his loan spell concludes.
Everton Flying High, Grealish Back to His Best
Everton, meanwhile, are thriving with Grealish at the heart of their resurgence. After a disappointing opening-day defeat to Leeds United, they have strung together three consecutive victories in all competitions, leaving them sitting fifth in the table heading into the international break. The Bramley-Moore Dock Stadium, their new home, is fast becoming a fortress, and Moyes’ side is beginning to play with the swagger and confidence of a team that believes it can challenge for Europe.
For Grealish, the timing of this revival could not be better. With the World Cup less than a year away, his resurgence puts him firmly back in the conversation for an England recall. Although new Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel has yet to include him in any of his squads, continued form at this level will make it increasingly difficult to ignore him. Supporters are already calling for his return, in a manner reminiscent of the public clamour that helped secure his inclusion at Euro 2020.
A Career at a Crossroads
At 29, Grealish’s career stands at a fascinating juncture. On one hand, his Manchester City spell is widely regarded as underwhelming, a case study of a player whose natural flair was curtailed by a system that never truly suited him. On the other, his resurgence at Everton suggests there is still plenty of magic left in his boots – the same magic that once made him the poster boy of English football at Aston Villa.
His viral social media post may have ruffled feathers at City, but it also reinforced the sense that he has moved on mentally. For Grealish, the focus now is clear: keep shining in Everton colours, help the Toffees climb even higher up the table, and make a compelling case to wear the England shirt again on football’s biggest stage.