The odds exceptionally lengthy, the name not on anybody’s bingo card. Maybe a quiz question in years to come, albeit a slightly tame one.Jack Grealish was the first substitution of Enzo Maresca’s era at Manchester City, called during half time of what started as an abject afternoon and never recovered.Grealish, the man with one Premier League start to his name for the club since December 2024, was out on the Principality pitch on his own as Maresca debriefed everybody else on a horrible first half inside.Two members of the performance staff put him through his paces before set-piece coach James French emerged with an iPad. Presumably the message was to win some free-kicks, because City could barely lay a glove from open play.And when Martin Odegaard poleaxed Grealish as he skipped beyond the Arsenal captain with an impish first touch, it felt like old times. But those are unlikely to return permanently. City are waiting for buyers, although one is unlikely to be Everton.Grealish had started last season’s loan spell positively, with some even calling for an international recall after a string of assists, but his influence had waned before a stress fracture in his foot ended the campaign prematurely shortly after New Year. A question mark looms over Jack Grealish’s future – but on Sunday, he was the first substitute of the Enzo Maresca era Man City are set to entertain buyers for the former England star but a reunion with David Moyes at Everton is off the cardsThe Toffees have all but opted against going back in for the 30-year-old, shying away from a return after David Moyes had a sustained period of time working with him. There is interest from other Premier League clubs, although they are thought to have more pressing priorities in the transfer window. That indicates that an answer on his future might linger for a while yet.‘Overall I think Jack was good,’ Maresca said. ‘The ones who are still here and want to work every day… if they deserve it, they’re going to get minutes. At the moment the transfer window is open and we will see what happens.’What Grealish’s introduction did indicate is the need for City to move in the market. Savinho – who is hopeful of pushing through a move to Tottenham – was not in Cardiff after being described as unwell when missing training in the week. With youngster Ryan McAidoo nursing a shoulder problem sustained during the pre-season tour of Asia, Maresca was without other options on the bench in that area of the pitch.If Savinho does get his wish, the only natural, senior wingers on the books expected to have a true impact this season are Jeremy Doku and Antoine Semenyo, with City needing to sign reinforcements.McAidoo will be given the chance to prove himself as a supplementary wildcard option, probably utilised in the cup competitions. Clearly not the immediate answer, despite undoubted talent. He has impressed the new manager with a direct style and willingness to beat a man one-on-one, something that Grealish rarely counts on. His best under Pep Guardiola came in acting as the integral ball carrier during the run to the Treble, winning fouls like the one committed by Odegaard or shielding possession, allowing City to pick their moments. Academy youngster Ryan McAidoo will hope to prove himself to Maresca this season in cup tiesAll the noises around how Maresca wants this team to play suggest that those skills are not necessarily top of the list of essentials required to flourish in this team. Grealish’s six-year contract finally expires next summer and it would be more likely that someone takes him on a temporary deal than permanent at this stage.Grealish would have headed off on tour had he not suffered an injury, doing rehabilitation in Majorca with club staff – Real Mallorca also welcomed Elliot Anderson for a tune up – and then was back training with the squad over the past few days. England boss Thomas Tuchel visited his holiday home in the area around the same time as Grealish’s fitness camp.City have changed their squad numbers, with Grealish wearing the No 18 these days. Rayan Cherki, the mercurial attacking midfielder who couldn’t hide his frustration at lacklustre displays from team mates in the Welsh capital, has taken the No 10.There remains adoration for him, though. The loudest cheer of the afternoon from an understandably subdued City end came as the former Aston Villa captain trotted behind David Raya’s goal to warm up in front of them. There is still a great deal of warmth for somebody who will always go down in the pantheon, purely for his role in 2023, and a willingness for him to succeed.That is the same at Everton, Grealish hugely popular with staff, but his career almost certainly lies away from both of those clubs now. It is down to somebody else to harness obvious talent that has not shone brightly enough for three years. It is down to him to recapture the love and dedication to the craft that remains in the locker.It’s been missing for too long yet the way he longingly stared into the distance as Arsenal celebrated at full time did suggest that these days do mean something to him. The best result for City and Grealish is that a destination giving him both of those things is found sooner rather than later.