Jack Grealish has been reflecting on his time at Manchester City, admitting that his own lifestyle choices off the pitch didn’t exactly help him shine.
After making a blockbuster £100 million move from Aston Villa in 2021, big things were expected.
But while he collected silverware under Pep Guardiola, the winger never quite reached the level many thought he would.
The Highs and Lows of His City Career
During his four years at the Etihad, Grealish lifted the Premier League, Champions League, and Carabao Cup.
Yet, on a personal level, his numbers told a different story—just 17 goals in 157 appearances.
The England international now admits that while he loves to enjoy life, he didn’t always pick the right moments to do so.
“People say he likes to go out, he likes to party—and I do,” Grealish told Sky Sports.
“But obviously there’s a time and place. At City, I didn’t help myself at times, I’ll openly say that. But I don’t think it was all down to that.”
A Fresh Start at Everton
Now on loan at Everton, Grealish looks like a different player.
In just seven games, he has already set up four goals, rediscovering the spark that made him such a joy to watch at Villa.
His confidence is back, and he credits much of that turnaround to manager David Moyes, who has allowed him to express himself on the pitch.
Feeling the Love Again
“I’m at my best when I feel loved,” Grealish admitted. “Off the pitch, I can be quite vulnerable.
I wanted to go somewhere where I’d feel that love again, where I’d wake up with a smile and want to play football.
Moyes has told me, ‘you’re the footballer, go and do what you want to do.’ Obviously you have responsibilities without the ball, but when I get it, he just lets me play.”
That sense of freedom seems to be working wonders, with Grealish showing flashes of the form that once made him one of the most exciting players in England.
The Road Ahead
Everton currently sit 12th in the Premier League table, having won two of their first five games.
Next up, they face West Ham United on Monday evening at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
The Hammers arrive with a new man in charge—Nuno Espirito Santo—after Graham Potter was sacked on Saturday following a poor start to the season.
For Grealish, it’s another chance to prove that he’s turned the page on his City struggles and is ready to remind fans exactly why he was once the most expensive English player in history.