Grealish was Jack the lad... but Pep's disregard is holding him back

JACK GREALISH loves an open-top bus parade and there is still a chance he will be taking a ride around Manchester later in the year.

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He appears to be a part of Pep Guardiola's FA Cup plans and Manchester City are the favourites to win the competition after this victory over Plymouth Argyle.

If Grealish were to pick up an FA Cup winners' medal, it would go with the one he won in 2023, and with the three Premier League winners' medals and his Champions League winners' medal.

Medals are what Grealish came to the Etihad for. But whether or not there is a bus ride - and even if they won the Cup, there is a chance, given their troubled season, City would not parade it - Grealish must surely be considering taking a journey out of town at the end of the season.

Whatever his fitness and form issues, he has got to be more than just a cup player.

Grealish turns 30 in September and should be in the prime of his playing career.

But the last time he was seen in anything like his pomp was probably when he was in an England jersey. He has certainly not looked happier recently than he did after scoring the opening goal against Finland in Helsinki back in October of last year.