Guardiola warned him over his behaviour, dropping him in 2021 for a match against Newcastle after he and Foden arrived for training worse for wear.
Despite these flaws, Grealish remains widely known for his approachable personality in an industry where the public is kept at arm’s length, including signing autographs longer than his peers and engaging eagerly in charity elements.
Grealish is aware of his flaws as a starting point, but dealing with them remains a separate matter as he needs to prove he has the respect for himself and for Everton to want more.
The next seven months are crucial to Grealish as he navigates a period where his status at the top level is under threat due to recurring indiscipline that is apparently not dwindling with age.
The Everton manager is working with a very small squad, meaning that losing a senior player for avoidable reasons will surely frustrate and irritate him.
Grealish admitted fault regarding his actions, stating that he sometimes has not picked the right times.
City wanted him to leave in the summer of 2025, and Everton provided the solution, taking him on loan and borrowing him again for this season.
In an industry where the public is kept at arm’s length, Grealish is very approachable, happy to sign autographs for longer than his peers, eager to do the charity elements that come with playing for major clubs and known for his personal touch when others are businesslike.
Sometimes, I’ll be honest with you, I probably haven’t picked the right times.” Initially at Everton it seemed Grealish could be the poster boy of a new era.