Jack Grealish put on another outstanding effort against Liverpool despite being sick for the whole of Saturday morning and spent the halftime break beside the bathroom.
The England forward shined throughout despite the 4-1 triumph being largely a contest of two halves. The fact that he assisted on City’s equalizer and scored the game-winning goal himself caught the caliber of his performance.
Grealish’s season has changed dramatically since the league resumed in December following the World Cup, and as a result, he is now considered to be one of City’s most crucial players.
Yet, compared to the title-winning season from the previous year, this form would be completely different in the first half of the current season. How, therefore, has Grealish so dramatically improved his situation?
Last November, when the England team traveled to Qatar, City’s number 10 had just one goal and no assists across all competitions.
Of fact, statistics can never provide a whole picture. Grealish had put on some strong displays, most notably against Wolves in the derby loss to United by a score of 6-3 a week later.
Yet, the discussion about the British record signing remained overwhelmingly unfavorable. In the end, the 27-year-old still didn’t get much for his staggering £100 million price tag.
Despite several noteworthy performances last season, Grealish came under fire for his inability to contribute to the goals scored during the title-winning campaign. The representative of England himself spoke about the challenges he has encountered since joining Manchester City.
Grealish remarked to Sky Sports in January: “I came into City, having been at Villa my whole life, and I’ve never had to adjust. I gave a critical assist in a win against Chelsea. I had no idea how challenging it is to adjust to a new team and manager.
Grealish has three goals, all of which have come in the Premier League, and eight assists across all competitions since the World Cup. His assist at Stamford Bridge is one of those eight.
The fact that Pep Guardiola has consistently given the forward game time is one aspect of his development. Grealish played no part in six additional league games before the World Cup break and only started six of them.
But he has started 12 of 14 Premier League games since the end of December, including the last 10 straight. Grealish’s confidence has unavoidably increased as a result of his manager’s confidence in him.
Grealish has three goals, all of which have come in the Premier League, and eight assists across all competitions since the World Cup. His assist at Stamford Bridge is one of those eight.
The fact that Pep Guardiola has consistently given the forward game time is one aspect in his development. Grealish played no part in six additional league games before the World Cup break and only started six of them.
But he has started 12 of 14 Premier League games since the end of December, including the last 10 straight. Grealish’s confidence has unavoidably increased as a result of his manager’s confidence in him.
Grealish, who can cut inside or hug the touchline and can offer wide service into the box, is now City’s favored choice for the left-wing position. Against Liverpool, both qualities were clearly on exhibit.
The 27-year-determination old’s to get back and defend in crucial situations was the best way, to sum up his man-of-the-match performance, particularly when he stopped Salah from making a crucial opportunity during a Liverpool counterattack after the team had already scored. Grealish has played with this tenacity since the beginning of 2023; it was evident in his 4-2 comeback victory over Tottenham in January.
For City, this motivating form has arrived just in time. Being a key cog in Guardiola’s system, Grealish will be essential in forthcoming league games as well as this month’s Champions League match against Bayern Munich. His quick passing and nimble movement will also be important.
The absence of Phil Foden, who missed a significant portion of the second half of the season due to injury, has also been filled in part by Grealish, who is crucially important. The recent academy graduate will be sidelined for the next two to three weeks after having appendix surgery.
During the next two months, Grealish can be counted on to perform in crucial situations now that he has established consistent form in his arsenal. Even more, regardless matter how this season ends, City supporters will be hopeful that these performances will continue into the upcoming one.