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Jack Grealish: I didn’t play enough games for Manchester City last season

Jack Grealish admits he was too ambitious for Aston Villa but says he wants to contribute more for Manchester City next season.

Jack Grealish has admitted his lack of game-time in 2021/22 was a major source of frustration but still believes leaving Aston Villa was the right thing to do for his career.

The 26-year-old started just 22 Premier League games for Manchester City in 2021/22 after joining from Villa in the summer.

He watched from the bench as City won the title on a dramatic final day and played only 64 minutes in the knockout stages of the Champions League.
However, he says the move to the Etihad, while taking him out of his comfort zone, was vital if he wanted to compete at the highest level.
Speaking at the launch of Sure's new 72 hour nonstop protection antiperspirant, Grealish said:
"It's obviously been difficult to move from the club that I've always been at. But no, 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, and just my ambition to carry on improving and carry on being better has obviously pushed me."

Grealish came away with a Premier League winners' medal from his first season at the Etihad - his first major title as a player. And when asked what his goals were for next season, Grealish was hungry for more trophies - and more game-time.

"Obviously, being involved more," he said. "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."

Grealish's lack of involvement in the big games has led to suggestions that Guardiola doesn't trust him.

He sat out the second leg of the tetchy Champions League quarter-final second leg against Atletico Madrid, was only introduced in the latter stages of the semi final second leg against Real Madrid and played just seven minutes of April's Premier league encounter with title rivals Liverpool.

Nevertheless, the midfielder only had good things to say about working with the former Barcelona boss.

"Yeah it's been unbelievable. Obviously, he was a big factor in why I came here. And to learn off him every single day and 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 that he can obviously push me onto the next step."
Kevin De Bruyne celebrates vs Real Madrid
That next step will be establishing himself as City's go-to big-game player. That is a mantle currently held by Kevin De Bruyne, with the Belgian having again been named Premier League Player of the Year following a season in which he supplied 15 goals and eight assists.
It is the second time De Bruyne has won the award and Grealish says the 30-year-old is the perfect role model.
"For me, the best player in the world, one of them especially. And obviously, just learning from him every day seeing what he does on and off the pitch. And what a great true professional he is. It helps me and it helps me to improve as well."
Grealish wouldn't go so far as to name De Bruyne as his favourite player, however. That is an accolade he awards to Lionel Messi and…Gabby Agbonlahor.
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