Jack Grealish was named Man of the Match in Manchester City’s 5-0 win over FC Copenhagen and hailed Pep Guardiola for having faith in him.
The 27-year-old struggled for consistency in his debut season, scoring just three goals with three assists from 26 Premier League games, as the £100m price tag appeared to weigh heavy on him.
Grealish was without a goal or assist from his first five games this season too, but he finally got off the mark in the Premier League and has put in good performances of late.
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After impressing against Copenhagen, Grealish told City’s reporters: “I loved it. Playing in the Champions League at the Etihad is a great feeling. Three wins out of three in the group and at the top, it was a great night!
“I’m loving it at the moment. My last three or four games I feel back to myself. I’m playing with freedom and confidence. I was desperate (to get on the scoresheet), especially in the second half, but it’s all about enjoying it and winning and that’s what I’m doing at the moment.
“It’s just when the luck is not with you. I’m going through one of them patches where nothing is falling for me. I’ve played a lot recently so I’m thankful to the manager. I’m playing with a smile on my face and really settling in here now.”
Grealish struggled earlier in the season and then picked up an injury that kept him out for a number of weeks, but he impressed for England on international duty last month and carried on his form at club level.
The 27-year-old scored in City’s 3-0 win over Wolves on September 17, creating two chances and having four successful dribbles. In City’s 6-3 win over Manchester United, Grealish created three chances, made three successful dribbles and won three freekicks from his trickery in possession.
And against Copenhagen on Wednesday, the England international had six shots, created four chances, had three successful dribbles and won two freekicks. He was impressive throughout.
After a slow start to the campaign, Grealish is finally putting in the level of performance expected of him. Guardiola kept faith in him when critics were condemning his performances and that appears to have given Grealish the confidence to turn things around.
In other news, Jack Grealish gives opinion on Erling Haaland’s form at Manchester City
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