From the bench to the starting lineup in a year. That, in short, would be the summary of Jack Grealish’s career in Manchester City so far. Aston Villa’s prospect was the first English footballer to reach the 100 million pounds mark back in 2021, and the expectations were high, but he didn’t meet them. He looked like a bust in his first year, where he rarely played and didn’t have much confidence. But everything changed this season. Since losing at Manchester United in mid-January, Grealish has started 21 of 23 matches. When it matters these days, he plays. Sure, one of the reasons was an injury to Phil Foden, but Jack used the chance he got, unlike last season.Jack Grealish: “Real Madrid again. Three games away from winning the Champions League. All I can say is that I have never had so much confidence and belief in my team mates and myself before a game as I have before going there next week.” pic.twitter.com/S5Sk6crJXO— City Report (@cityreport_) May 5, 2023 In a big interview for Daily Mail, he revealed what happened, and it all started with a conversation with his agent.“We had this big meeting. He said, “You are going to Manchester City and everything is gonna change. You have to realise nothing will ever be the same again. ‘Sitting here now I can say I have dealt with it. But last season I didn’t at all. But that was not off the pitch. That was on it. I was a bit in awe of being here, a bit shy. Not, like, in my personality but on the pitch. People would shout, “Jack, pass!” and I would be, “F***ing hell it’s Kevin De Bruyne, I had better pass it to him”. You know what I mean? He had been my idol” revealed Grealish.Jack Grealish: “The way some pundits talk I can’t catch my breath… Graeme [Souness] was unbelievable. But he used to say I held the ball too long. I was like, ‘Mate, I play for Villa’. A lot of the time we didn’t have the ball so when we did the manager told me to keep it…”— City Xtra (@City_Xtra) May 5, 2023 The change was painful, but the young midfielder did good, and now he is a regular.“The main thing now is I feel loved. I feel the manager really trusts me. At Fulham last weekend I didn’t have my best game. But Pep kept me on, trusting me. He was telling me, “Jack, get hold of the ball, keep it, win fouls”. So you go home and feel happy.This is what I dreamed of. To play in every game for such an important team at such an important time. It was difficult to change. Now I see these guys as my friends and I am like, “Give me the ball”. I demand it. I would still like to score more. My assists — not trying to big myself up — are now at 11 and I don’t take any set-pieces. But it’s not just numbers, is it?” explains Grealish.Age of Empire: Manchester City group buys Brazilian side EC Bahia for £158mFormer Aston Villa captain is also known as a bit of a party boy, as he was often pictured sporting fancy clothing brands and going out. And he is not denying it, just stating that every person is different, and he gave two great but totally opposite examples: him and Erling Haaland.“Everyone is different, aren’t they? Look at Erling. He is the best professional I have ever seen. His mindset is something you won’t see again. He does everything. Recovers. In the gym. Ten hours of treatment a day. Ice baths. Diet. That’s why he is what he is. But I swear I couldn’t be like that. We have a great friendship but he will point at me after a game and say, “Hey, don’t you go out tonight partying”. I just tell him to shut up and go and sit in his ice bath. But that’s us. Two different people doing well in our own way. I am not as successful as him. He has scored more goals this season than I have in my whole career. He is going home and sitting with his family and having a takeaway. Sometimes that’s my choice, too. I love doing that. But sometimes I like to go out and let my hair down. I am not gonna sit here and lie and say I don’t go out. What’s the point? It’s also pointless telling you I am here at 8am going in the gym and that’s the reason I am playing well. It’s not. The reason I am playing well is because I feel fit, confident, good in myself and like I am at home here. But I still love an occasional drink and going out with my friends. That’s just normal” admitted Grealish.Every minute is a chance to break records – and Erling wants to take them allCity are playing against relegation-threatened Leeds, who have a new manager, good old Sam Allardyce. Grealish and his teammates are facing Real Madrid (again) in the Champions League after that.“Listen, we are in exactly the same position as last year in Europe. Real Madrid again. Three games away from winning the Champions League. All I can say is that I have never had so much confidence and belief in my team-mates and myself before a game as I have before going there next week. Well, apart from when I was six and thought I was the best player in the world” jokes Grealish.PREMIER LEAGUE – MATCHDAY 35Saturday17.00: (3.05) Wolverhampton (3.30) Aston Villa (2.60)17.00: (3.30) Bournemouth (3.50) Chelsea (2.35)17.00: (1.89) Tottenham (3.50) Crystal Palace (4.40)17.00: (1.21) Man.City (8.00) Leeds (14.0)19.30: (1.52) Liverpool (4.40) Brentford (6.75)Sunday18.30: (2.55) Newcastle (3.50) Arsenal (2.95)21.00: (3.60) West Ham (3.60) Man.Utd. (2.19)Monday17.00: (2.70) Fulham (3.35) Leicester (2.68)19.30: (1.40) Brighton (5.20) Everton (10.0)22.00: (2.19) Nott.Forest (3.35) Southampton (3.45)***odds are subject to change***
