Jack Grealish last celebrated a goal in a 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace on 16 December 2023. Injuries have cost the England international a regular starting spot in Pep Guardiola's squad.
In the 2023-2024 campaign, the 29-year-old striker has missed 15 matches due to groin and hamstring problems. Unstable physical strength has made even on the pitch, the player who captivated Premier League fans is still just a shadow of himself.
This season, despite making 10 Premier League appearances, Grealish has only played the full 90 minutes once as The Citizens ended their winless streak with a 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest.
Having shined as a 'number 10' free agent at Aston Villa, Man City have paid a record sum for the England international. However, when he moved to Manchester, Grealish never replicated the form he showed at Villa Park.
However, despite Villa's consistent performances and incredible moments, Grealish's career-high Premier League goalscoring tally is just eight.
Grealish's total Premier League goals are 26 in 181 games, an average of 0.14 goals per game. Even at his best, goals have never been a strength in Grealish's style of play.
After being left out of Gareth Southgate's squad for EURO 2024, the 29-year-old striker was supported by former "Three Lions" interim coach Lee Carsley. Grealish was unimpressive at club level at the time, scoring just two goals in three games.
Under Carsley, Grealish has taken on a different role to his Man City stint. In the role of a free centre-forward, reminiscent of his final days at Villa, Grealish has shown similarities to his former image.
After good performances against the Republic of Ireland and Finland, Grealish was given a similar role by Guardiola when he returned to Man City. The Spaniard is optimistic as the Citizens end a seven-game winless streak by beating Nottingham.
"Our football has always been built from midfield. They decide the tempo and the way we play. We want to control the game and Grealish has given us that.
He has the qualities to play in a defensive midfield position. He can keep the ball, break the lines and be calm," said the Spaniard.
It seems that Grealish's career has been stagnant for a while, but with his new role, the signs are gradually improving for the England international.
