MY ACCOUNT
Jack Grealish has opened up on his “difficult” first season at Manchester City — but is determined to kick on next term after lifting the Premier League trophy.
Much was expected from the England star, 26, when City paid a British record £100million to sign him from Aston Villa last summer.
He managed three goals and three assists as the Citizens topped the table in his debut campaign at the Etihad.
But there is a sense of more to come from the former Villa captain, who admits he has had to adjust to his new surroundings.
Speaking at the launch of Sure’s new antiperspirant, Grealish said: “It’s obviously been difficult to move from the club I’ve always been at.
“But my ambitions have kept me going. I’ve always wanted to do this and play at the highest level in the biggest games and perform at the highest level.
“So that’s what I came here for. My ambition to carry on improving and carry on being better has obviously pushed me.”
The Greal deal
Grealish made City’s starting XI just 22 times in the league last term, with the Birmingham native requiring time to adapt to Pep Guardiola’s style of play.
The 21-cap international was often left out of his team’s big games towards the end of the season, including their title-deciding clash against Villa on the final day.
And while the Citizens won that game 3-2 to secure their fourth title in five seasons, Grealish has made no secret of his desire to become an integral part of Guardiola’s starting XI next season.
He added: “Obviously, being involved more, to get more goals and assists and win more silverware, that’s my aim.
“That’s why I’m here, to win as many trophies as I can, and hopefully I can do that.”
Pep talk
Despite the ongoing debate as to whether Grealish has lived up to his hefty price tag, Guardiola has been unwavering in his praise for last summer’s marquee signing.
Working under one of the best coaches in world football, the Three Lions ace knows he is in safe hands as he strives to continue his development.
Grealish added: “Obviously, he [Guardiola] was a big factor in why I came to City.
“To learn off him every single day, listen to him and just see how he is as a manager and as a person.
“It’s been unbelievable for me and I hope he can obviously push me on to the next step.”
Fantastic Foden
Grealish was one of five City players selected for Gareth Southgate’s latest squad for England’s Nations League fixtures this month.
He was a 62nd-minute substitute against Hungary last Saturday but was unable to prevent a shock 1-0 defeat in Budapest.
Absent from that clash was fellow City man Phil Foden, who will also miss tonight’s encounter with Germany in Munich due to a bout of coronavirus.
But having linked up with the 22-year-old starlet for club and country, Grealish was quick to lavish praise on his team-mate.
He said: “Phil’s unbelievable. For me, [he is] probably one of the best in the world, or one of them, at his age. He’s got his whole career ahead of him already.
“I think sometimes we forget how young he is because of how well he’s done and how much he’s played already. So it’s a pleasure, obviously, playing with him.
“I knew how good he was when I was playing with England, and I look forward to the future with him.”
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