Pep Guardiola optimistic over Jack Grealish's return to form for Man City
Pep Guardiola hopes to have the Jack Grealish of last season back for the closing stages of Manchester City's latest push for silverware.
Jack Grealish is a midfielder who plays for Manchester City and represents the England national team.
Grealish first joined Aston Villa's academy at the age of six and at 15, he was taken out of school by the club and privately educated as he continued to learn his craft as a football player.
He moved to Manchester City in August 2021 in a £100million deal. But despite winning his a Premier League winners' medal in his first season, he failed to live up to the huge price tag.
The following season, Grealish was unable to prevent Villa from being relegated to the second tier of English soccer for the first time since 1987. Grealish played 16 games, all of which ended in defeat - a Premier League record.
After sustaining several injuries, Grealish returned to the first team under new management after a poor start saw Bruce sacked from his position as manager. Dean Smith replaced him, with Chelsea legend John Terry joining him as his assistant.
Having spent £120million during the summer transfer window, Villa struggled for consistency on their return to the top flight despite match-winning performances from Grealish.
Following long-term injuries to McGinn and Brazil's Wesley, as well as Tyrone Mings, who struggled to replicate the form that had seen him earn a call-up to the England national side, Villa's inability to keep clean sheets saw them flirt with relegation for most of the season.
However, Villa would produce an unlikely comeback once football had returned from its enforced break due to the coronavirus pandemic, with the Midlands side securing their Premier League status on the final day of the season.
In August 2021, Grealish moved to Manchester City in a £100million deal, a British transfer record. The 25-year-old adopred the No.10 shirt vacated by Sergio Aguero. He signed a six-year contract.
However, Jack Grealish became a key player in the the 2022/23 campaign as Manchester City won the Champions League, Premier League and the FA Cup.
After a strong start to the 2020/21 season, Grealish earned himself his first international call-up for England.
Grealish has since gone on to become a regular in Gareth Southgate's squad, although mainly making apperances off the bench.
Grealish scored his first goal for England in a World Cup qualifier against Andorra in October 2021.
He was part of England's 2022 World Cup squad, and scored in the opening match against Iran, but all of his five appearances in the competition came as a substitute.
To rectify his mistakes, Grealish raised money for the NHS and offered a sincere apology for his conduct. It is believed he sold the Aston Villa jersey he wore when he got punched against Birmingham City for more than £48,000 as well as donating £150,000 to local hospitals.
His net worth is reportedly around £16.8 million and he has endorsements with Nike and EA Sports.
Outside of football, Grealish is involved in plenty of charity projects and participates in the Aston Villa Foundation's campaigns. He is an ambassador of Saving Lives - a charity which tries to combat the infection of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. Grealish has also helped to raise awareness for blood cancer charity Cure Leukaemia.
Pep Guardiola hopes to have the Jack Grealish of last season back for the closing stages of Manchester City's latest push for silverware.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has urged Jack Grealish to seize an opportunity to finish the season strongly.
Jack Grealish has been ruled out of Manchester City's clash with Chelsea on Saturday.
Manchester City are waiting to hear the extent of the injury suffered by Jack Grealish during the Champions League win over FC Copenhagen.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Bernardo Silva and Jack Grealish picked up injuries in the 3-1 win over FC Copenhagen.
Pep Guardiola has reminded players of the importance of personal security after the home of Jack Grealish was burgled in midweek.
Jack Grealish could be available for Manchester City's clash with Sheffield United on Saturday after nobody was harmed during a burglary at his house.