After a tough first season at the Etihad, Jack Grealish is now one of Manchester City’s most influential players.
City’s marquee signing of the 2021 summer transfer window had a tough time adjusting to Pep Guardiola’s demands in his first season at the Etihad. Come his second season, Grealish became one of the first names on Pep Guardiola’s team sheet as City marched to the treble.
With possession being key to everything City do, Grealish is now a vital part of the City’s starting lineup. His ability to maintain possession and run at opponents is crucial to what City do.
Following the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Grealish returned and made himself one of the first picked on the team sheet. He started all the big games as City made their run towards the treble. His outstanding form was exactly what City paid for when they signed him from Aston Villa. His dribbling and creativity became a key part of Pep Guardiola’s side. He also chimed in with important goals against Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal.
Jack Grealish goal vs Arsenal.
Arsenal defence was split wide open in build up to that goal. Gabriel lost possesion juast few seconds before this. Bernardo Silva and Erling Haaland running things.pic.twitter.com/X64lpJUNHW
— KYMUFC (@ElijahKyama_) February 16, 2023
Grealish ability to create chances was already well known. He showed that in spades in his performances last season. City’s winger created the most chances of any player in last season’s UEFA Champions League.
35 – @JackGrealish created 35 chances in the Champions League in 2022-23, 12 more than any other player, and the most since Dušan Tadić in 2018-19 (37):
35 – Grealish
23 – Zielinski
22 – De Bruyne, Tonali
20 – Bernardo, Di Lorenzo, KimmichGucci. pic.twitter.com/9VJ85oATHI
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 11, 2023
On the biggest stage, Grealish thrived. He was at his best over two legs of the UEFA Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid. He gave Dani Carvajal a torrid time in both games and showed why City paid so much for the winger. They were classic Grealish performances against the very best in Europe.
Grealish vs Madrid 🌶️
• Dribbles (1st)
• Crosses completed (1st)
• Runs into attacking third (1st)
• Tackles (2nd)#UCLfinal pic.twitter.com/5KprVL7Lo0— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 18, 2023
The England international lapped the treble celebrations after the UEFA Champions League final win. He was arguably City’s best performed off the pitch as the City players and staff celebrated their historic achievements. It was a fitting reward for all the hard work Grealish, his teammates and staff put in last season.
Hang it in the Loooouvre 💙😂 pic.twitter.com/atL2tEz0ah
— Jack Grealish (@JackGrealish) June 13, 2023
As next season looms, Jack Grealish will be hoping to go up another level next season. He proved all of the doubters wrong in season 22/23. No longer is the fee paid for Grealish questioned, it’s all about how good he is on the pitch.
