Jack Grealish admits it’s been ‘much more difficult’ than he thought to adapt at Man City after his £100m move from Aston Villa… but says ‘it’s a pleasure to work under Pep’ after grabbing an assist in win over Chelsea
- Jack Grealish came off the bench and played a key part in Man City’s victory
- His cross was tucked away by Riyad Mahrez in a 1-0 victory away at Chelsea
- The former Aston Villa player hasn’t found it easy since he joined back in 2021
- Grealish admits it’s been ‘more difficult’ than expected to adjust to his move
- He is enjoying life at the Premier League champions under Pep Guardiola though
- READ: Grealish thought Kepa would cut out his cross for Man City’s winner
Jack Grealish has spoken of the challenges to adapt to Manchester City, after playing a huge part in their victory over Chelsea.
The winger came off the bench to grab an assist for Riyad Mahrez in a 1-0 victory at Stamford Bridge, moving them five points behind league leaders Arsenal.
Grealish joined City in the summer of 2021 for a British record £100million fee, and has admitted he didn’t think it would be as difficult to adjust to life at the club after leaving his boyhood club Aston Villa.
Jack Grealish came off the bench and made an immediate impact in the win over Chelsea
When asked what life is like at Manchester City, he told Sky Sports after the win over Chelsea: ‘It’s so much different at Villa. Playing for Dean Smith, he’d say “go find the weak link”.
‘At Villa, I’d always have an overlapping full-back. I didn’t realise how hard it is to adapt to another team and another manager. It was so much more difficult than I thought. A lot of teams do tend to sit in against us.
‘You sit there on the bench, observing the game and seeing what Phil’s (Foden) doing in the position that I’d be in, if I come on. I’ve been here 18 months and I’m enjoying it honestly. It’s a pleasure to work under Pep.’
Grealish has opened up on the differences between playing at Aston Villa and Man City
Grealish has found it more tough than expected to adjust at Man City though he is enjoying life at the club under Pep Guardiola
Grealish and Mahrez were both brought on at the hour mark against Chelsea and combined to devastating effect.
The England international’s cross from the left wing was inch-perfect for Mahrez who slid in at the far post to score the only goal of the game and give them the three points.
When asked about his relationship with Mahrez, Grealish responded: ‘I’m so close with Riyad and we were warming up together and we were saying, “I’d love to come on here”, because the game was open.
Grealish played a perfect cross for fellow substitute Riyad Mahrez to tuck the ball home
Grealish has provided three assists in as many league games since the World Cup break
‘The manager told Riyad to go and warm up – he didn’t actually tell me to warm up.
‘I thought, I’m going to warm up here even if I ain’t coming on. Next thing I know, Riyad was like “Jack! Come on, we’re going on”. I was like “Buzzing, see ya later”.
One criticism about the former Villa captain has been his lack of goals and assists for the reigning Premier League champions.
This season he has netted just once, but he has been in good form since the World Cup break providing three assists in as many league games.
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