He once slid off as a football prodigy AstonVilla from one scandal to the next. At Manchester City Jack Grealish has grown up – and become indispensable. In the Champions League, Grealish and City now meet FC Bayern (Tuesday, 9 p.m., live in the audio stream).
When Manchester City recently den Liverpool FC with 4:1, the fans had quickly identified their favorite on the lawn. It was still 1-0 for Liverpool when Jack Grealish sprinted 60 meters into his own half to block Liverpool’s rushed Mo Salah just before his goal was scored with a sliding tackle.
“I love football”
The applause from the stands didn’t want to stop – the English fans love scenes like this. Because they show a player’s passion for their sport. “I love football. Play, train – when things are going well, there is nothing better“, he said after the game, adding meaningfully that he’s finally found his ‘normal’ form again.
No question: Grealish has become the man of the hour at Manchester City in recent weeks. Alongside Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland, he is one of the key difference players in the “Citizens“. It’s actually less his courageous actions to the rear that distinguish him.
Dribbling – nobody can do it like Grealish
No, Grealish’s strengths lie elsewhere: in dribbling. On the train to the gate. In his character. Grealish is bold and confident. He never avoids a direct duel. Grealish always seeks the way to the gate. He gave Liverpool’s Trent Alexander Arnold an afternoon of horror at the said 4-1.
He basically did what he liked with his national team colleagues. Dribbling past him, provoking fouls, playing through his legs. Just Grealish style. And even if he got stuck, his actions gave his teammates the space they needed up front to succeed.
2021 – “Inventory” Aston Villas moves abroad
The 27-year-old moved to Manchester City in 2021, which was a sensation at the time. On the one hand, because the transfer fee of around 112 million euros was exorbitantly high. On the other hand, because it was actually thought that the “enfant terrible” of English football could not be steered away from its parent club Aston Villa.
Grealish has been an integral part of the fixtures at the Birmingham club since he was a child. No matter what Aston Villa happened and did, Grealish was the face of that club. And remained – mostly as a solo entertainer – even in times of greatest depression always loyal Villa players.
Other clubs kept their hands off this player who was obviously difficult to lead. Because Grealish was not only convincing on the pitch at a young age – he was also often the driving force on the disco and club floor.
Meanwhile Three Lion: Jack Grealsih
Endless list of indisciplines
In any case, the list of his lack of discipline that he committed himself to in Birmingham is long. For example, that photo from spring 2020 is unforgettable: In a blue hoodie and slippers, Grealish is standing there on the street with an embarrassed look next to his demolished noble Range Rover. A little later it became known: The then 24-year-old had misbehaved again.
After a night of partying with at least two other football buddies, he rammed two parked cars with his 100,000 euro vehicle and was then stopped by the police. Spicy: Less than 24 hours earlier, Grealish had asked his fans via video message to stay at home in view of the corona crisis. To protect yourself and others. “He needs to grow up”Arsenal legend Ian Wright, who was one of the first celebrities to publicly comment on Grealish’s renewed escapade, was angry at the time.
Alcohol and nitrous oxide – no party without Grealish
Grealish hadn’t misbehaved for the first time. In the summer of 2015, he was photographed drunk on a promenade in Tenerife, and in the same year a video was released showing Jack Grealish inhaling nitrous oxide, popularly known as “laughing gas”.
Grealish, who played for the Irish national team in his youth due to his grandparents’ origins, was of course already a candidate for the England national team at the time. Manager Gareth Southgate was reluctant – after all, he is known to be a disciplinarian. In the long run, however, he couldn’t get past Grealish. Grealish made his debut for the Three Lions in September 2020.
Colleagues outranked
The value Grealish now has can be seen in the change of its shoe supplier. Grealish recently switched from Nike to Puma. Again “telegraph” reported that Grealish signed a record kit deal for a British athlete with Puma. A sum was not given, but Grealish is said to earn more than the previous top earners Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur) and Gareth Bale (now retired). They earned the equivalent of around 4.5 million euros.