Jack Grealish has opened up about his first season at Manchester City, explaining why his attacking output has dropped so much.
Most people have labelled Jack Grealish’s first season as a “flop”. The winger joined City from Aston Villa for a reported £100 million, to make him the most expensive English player of all time. With a return of three goals, and three assists in the league, his numbers are far from what is expected from him.
The silver lining is that the Englishman is just 26 and has a lot of time on his side. We also have to take into account that the output he generated at Villa was mostly down to him being their main attacking threat, and also playing in a different system. At Manchester City, however, things are quite the opposite. With so many quality players at the helm, his responsibility has changed. Jack Grealish has also had to adapt to Pep Guardiola’s style of play, which might take a while to get into your system.
Speaking to Sky Sports are City’s dramatic title win, the 19-cap England international was very candid when asked about his first season at the Etihad.
“You know, even times where people have said to me ‘I want Jack to attack more, like at Villa,'” he explained on the Etihad pitch as the celebrations went on around him.
“And I feel like sometimes, because Pep don’t want you to lose the ball, I’m so in my head, thinking ‘I can’t lose this ball,’ you know what I mean. Where I feel like, ‘All right, I’ve got to come back out.'”
When asked if he felt that he played safe, the ex-Villa captain said,” Yeah, at times. For example in the second half last week, against West Ham, I felt like once I’d scored I was like ‘Come on, give me the ball,’ and I was running at people, trying to create things.” I even spoke to people I’m close to after the game, my dad, I was like ‘I felt like myself then, playing today. Hopefully I can bring that next season. I’m sure I will.”
A lot of forwards at Manchester City have struggled in their first season under Pep, only to flourish later on. City fans will be hoping that Grealish will turn it on next season.
City are already looking ahead to next season and have added Erling Haaland to an already dangerous squad. Further transfers are sure to follow.
