When Manchester City needed inspiration during their FA Cup final clash with Crystal Palace, many expected Jack Grealish to be called upon.
Instead, he sat on the bench, unused, watching his team struggle—and ultimately lose.
For a player once dubbed England’s golden boy, this moment felt like a turning point.
And football legend Alan Shearer didn’t hold back in his assessment.
Alan Shearer: “Grealish Has to Move On”
Speaking on The Rest is Football Podcast, Shearer was clear—Grealish’s time at Manchester City is over.
He didn’t just suggest it might be time to leave. He said it outright.
“His time is up at Man City, he has to leave,” Shearer said, pointing out how telling it was that Pep Guardiola opted to bring on youngster Claudio Echeverri—a debutant—and Ilkay Gundogan instead of turning to Grealish when City were chasing the game.
“For whatever reason, Pep’s done with him. He doesn’t like him.
His time is up, it really is,” Shearer added.
A £100 Million Transfer That Never Took Off
Grealish joined City in 2021 for a staggering £100 million from Aston Villa—a British record at the time. At Villa, he was the star, the heartbeat of the team.
But that magic hasn’t fully translated at the Etihad.
Although he played a key role during City’s incredible Treble-winning campaign in 2022-23, consistency has been a major issue. This season, things have only gotten worse.
Grealish has made just one Premier League start in 2025 and only seven across the whole campaign.
Most of his game time has come in less crucial cup matches when the squad is rotated.
Left Out in a Moment That Mattered
The FA Cup final was arguably the biggest domestic fixture of City’s season—and Grealish didn’t even get a minute on the pitch. Instead, fans watched Guardiola introduce players like Echeverri and Phil Foden while Grealish remained on the sidelines.
Echeverri, notably, hadn’t even made the bench since joining City in January until this match.
That decision alone spoke volumes about where Grealish stands in the pecking order.
Micah Richards Shares His Disappointment
Former City defender and pundit Micah Richards expressed sympathy for Grealish, admitting it was tough to see the winger’s City career play out like this.
“What’s sad is that sometimes, big moves just don’t work out,” Richards said.
“But I also think Jack’s played within himself. We haven’t seen the real Jack Grealish.”
When Gary Lineker asked if Grealish had been playing too safe, Richards didn’t hesitate: “Yeah.”
The Stats Tell the Story
Since the beginning of last season, Grealish has managed just four Premier League goals and two assists—a far cry from the attacking force he was at Aston Villa.
That dip in form has also cost him his place in the England squad, missing out on the last two call-ups.
Guardiola’s Frustrations Boil Over
Even Guardiola hasn’t hidden his disappointment.
After a win over West Ham back in January, he publicly called out Grealish’s performances, comparing him unfavorably to younger teammate Savinho.
“I want the Jack that won the Treble,” Guardiola said.
“But Savinho is in better shape. That’s why he played.”
Pep’s message was clear: competition is fierce, and Grealish isn’t rising to it.
What’s Next for Jack Grealish?
With Euro 2025 approaching and his place in the England squad in jeopardy, Grealish faces a huge decision this summer.
Stay at City and risk further stagnation—or find a new challenge where he can rediscover the swagger that made him such a special talent at Villa.
For now, one thing seems certain: if Jack Grealish wants to get back to his best, a fresh start might be the only way forward.