Jack Grealish challenged to 'make this place his own' after miserable spell for Man City as club legend admits England star could be sold after failing to 'find a style'

The England international playmaker became the most expensive player in British football when completing a £100 million ($129m) transfer to the Etihad Stadium in 2021. He now has three Premier League titles to his name and formed part of a historic treble triumph in 2022-23.

End product has, however, been in short supply, with just two goals recorded this season. Grealish’s last effort in the Premier League came 15 months ago in December 2023. Questions are being asked of his future as a result.

Dunne believes the 29-year-old can still earn a place in Pep Guardiola’s plans but, speaking in association with William Hill, told GOAL when asked if it could be time for something new: "It could be. It could be for any player in that squad, time for something new.

"Jack hasn’t had the season that he would’ve wanted. I’m sure he would want to be playing more. A lot of time, it’s down to the player. A manager wants to pick players and have everyone available and have everyone on top form, making choices difficult. It’s something that Jack Grealish can change. He’s a hugely talented footballer, great player and a really good person. If he can get back and find his best form, Pep and Man City would be delighted to keep him.

"He has got a chance. He has got the rest of this season, the summer, to decide himself. He has also got pre-season and a few more years on his contract to make this place his own and find a style of football that suits him and suits Man City, enabling Pep to use him on a more regular basis."

Grealish may form part of a busy summer at City, with Dunne adding when asked about a mooted rebuilding project that could lead to several comings and goings: "It looks like there are players in the squad at the moment that aren’t reaching the heights and levels that they have in previous years.

"Whether that is down to age or just form, I don’t think the manager will stand by and allow that to continue. He needs to make a challenge on those players by bringing other ones in. If it ends up that there isn’t enough space in the squad, I’m sure there will be two or three that are leaving in the summer.

"City have been outstanding since Pep has been there. This season they have fallen off it slightly so they need to reset and go again. Bringing new players in freshens the squad up. It’s about getting the right ones and the players that he has brought in so far, in the January window, look like really talented players and can really add to the squad in the long-term. This summer they will try to do that again and strengthen positions that they are maybe lacking a bit in at the moment."

City have tumbled out of the Champions League in 2024-25, losing to Real Madrid in the knockout phase play-offs, while a fifth successive Premier League title is now out of reach after slipping 23 points off the pace being set by table-topping Liverpool.