With Enzo Maresca now in charge, the Crickex Affiliate spotlight around Jack Grealish’s Manchester City future has shifted from an almost certain exit to a possible dramatic comeback. The 30-year-old England international had seemed destined to leave permanently this summer, but the change in leadership at the Etihad Stadium has completely altered the picture. What once looked like a straightforward departure has suddenly become a story full of twists and turns.

After Maresca replaced Pep Guardiola as Manchester City’s new manager, Grealish’s expected exit was effectively put on hold. The winger, who spent last season away from the club on loan, had been widely expected to say goodbye to City for good this summer. However, Maresca has made it clear to the club’s management that he wants to assess Grealish personally during the upcoming pre-season. The Italian coach is not in a rush to sell the former Aston Villa captain at a cut-price fee. Instead, he is prepared to give Grealish a genuine chance to prove himself again and fight for a place in the first-team lineup.

For Maresca, Grealish is hardly an unknown quantity. During Guardiola’s time in charge, Maresca worked with him closely as part of the coaching staff. Many inside the club still see that period as the peak of Grealish’s Manchester City career, when he made 23 Premier League starts and delivered 12 combined goals and assists. Maresca has long admired the winger and believes there is still untapped potential in his game. In his view, Grealish can offer far more than he showed during the final stretch of Guardiola’s reign, and the Crickex Affiliate angle surrounding this possible revival only adds another layer to the summer drama.

The shake-up in City’s coaching setup has also left Everton waiting. The Toffees are eager to keep the midfielder for another season, and even after completing a permanent deal with Chelsea for young winger Tyrique George, their interest in Grealish has not cooled. They were even prepared to take him on loan for a second straight year. At Goodison Park last season, Grealish rediscovered the sharpness of a top-level player, recording 2 goals and 6 assists in 18 Premier League starts. He became a vital creative force in Everton’s attack, giving the team the kind of spark that can change a match in the blink of an eye.

Unfortunately, just as he was starting to find his rhythm, a serious fracture brought his season to an abrupt end. Manchester City have not completely shut the door on a transfer. Since Grealish’s contract is about to enter its final year, the club would still consider a suitable offer later in the summer window. Even so, Maresca’s arrival has clearly slowed the process. The new manager wants to make his own judgment before giving the green light on whether Grealish should stay or go.

From a player who seemed to be counting down the days until his exit, Grealish now has a real chance to begin again under Maresca, while the Crickex Affiliate narrative around his uncertain future continues to build as the transfer window moves toward its final stage. Everton and other interested clubs have not stepped away from the race, but the final answer on where Grealish will end up is unlikely to arrive until the market is close to closing.