In the ever-changing world of football, legends cast long shadows.
For instance, Laurie Cunningham once dazzled with his innate ability to outfox defenders, and his legacy still inspires today. Likewise, Jack Grealish was once the epitome of flair and creativity on the pitch. However, his current decline has many questioning whether his best days lie behind him under Pep Guardiola’s strict regime.
At Leyton Orient’s Coronation Gardens, a memorable scene unfolded in the drizzle. A young supporter, armed with an inflatable FA Cup, approached Cunningham’s statue and peppered the legendary figure with questions about his past. Consequently, when told “He played for the Orient, son,” the youngster read the plaque with wonder. Thus, the community’s reverence for its football pioneers continues to shine brightly.
Yet, as the conversation shifted to Grealish, concerns mounted about his present form. Once celebrated as a natural dribbler who could change direction at pace, Grealish now struggles to reproduce those moments. In fact, he has completed a full 90 minutes only twice this season—against Leyton Orient and Salford. Moreover, when he does step onto the pitch, he often appears stifled in a team that primarily relies on him to retain possession and draw defenders in.
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During the match at Orient, Grealish briefly flickered with the creative spark fans remember. He raced with the ball, threatened the goal, and even clipped a decisive pass to Kevin De Bruyne that won the tie late on. Afterwards, Pep Guardiola warmly acknowledged his “from the streets” background while also demanding a higher end product. Clearly, the manager’s mixed praise hints at mounting frustration over Grealish’s inability to fully exploit his talent.
Many pundits argue that Grealish might thrive playing more centrally. At Aston Villa, he often carried the team with his forward-thinking passes and intelligent runs. Furthermore, his vision and awareness might allow him to find better angles away from the congested left wing. However, he now competes with players such as Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden, and Omar Marmoush, which only intensifies the pressure on his evolving role at Manchester City.
Change in His Career
Currently, Grealish faces a critical juncture in his career. Approaching 30 with only two years left on his contract at the Etihad Stadium, he has started just six Premier League games this season—none since Christmas. Additionally, the burden of a £100 million price tag looms large. Consequently, if he wishes to be part of Manchester City’s future, now is the time to step up, especially as the club rebuilds with recent signings like Savinho and Jeremy Doku. Alternatively, he may seek a move that offers greater freedom, much like the cautionary example of Raheem Sterling after his £50 million exit in 2022.
Meanwhile, Leyton Orient has experienced a remarkable revival. Once mired in turmoil during Francesco Becchetti’s controversial ownership—when staff were unpaid and fans protested—the club now chases play-off ambitions and promotion to the Championship. Moreover, Brisbane Road buzzed with local passion during their FA Cup tie against Manchester City, reminding everyone of the club’s deep community roots inherited from the era when Barry Hearn reigned.
Things We Learned
Finally, here are some things we learned this week that encapsulate the evolving landscape of football.
First, Arne Slot now prefers to keep 12 players on the bench for domestic games, which he claims will grant more minutes to academy talent; nevertheless, it primarily offers flexibility to clubs with large squads.
Second, Freddie Woodman has excelled at Deepdale this season; the former England Under-21 keeper faced 24 penalties—17 against Fulham in a dramatic Carabao Cup shootout, three in the Championship, and four more as Preston overcame Wycombe in a penalty shootout.
Third, the longstanding debate over promotion spots from the National League and relegation spots from League Two has resurfaced, suggesting a move to three up rather than four.
Fourth, after witnessing two goals scored from extreme distance—first by Josh Windass and then by Jamie Donley—it remains unclear whether this is mere chance or a tactical response to higher defensive lines and sweeper keepers.
Finally, whenever we think of Lens boss Will Still, I can’t help but hum the Smiths’ classic “Still Ill,” which serves as a poignant reminder that even the most promising dreams may fade without renewal.
