Determined to reclaim his form and rhythm, Grealish has shown glimpses of resurgence in recent matches against Crystal Palace, Salford, and Orient
For Jack Grealish, 2024 was a year etched in stark contrasts—a time of personal joy shadowed by professional struggles. The Manchester City playmaker faced one of the most challenging periods of his career, grappling with limited game time and the heartbreak of missing out on England’s Euro 2024 squad. Yet, amidst the footballing frustrations, life off the pitch gifted him a profound happiness: the birth of his daughter.
Reflecting after City’s narrow 2-1 FA Cup victory over Leyton Orient, Grealish candidly shared, “Last year, the whole year itself, it was weird because my little daughter was born, but apart from that it was one of the most difficult years—probably the most difficult year of my life for many reasons, on and off the pitch.”
His struggles under Pep Guardiola’s management were evident. Once a pivotal figure in City’s attacking lineup, Grealish found himself on the fringes, battling inconsistency and the frustration of sporadic appearances. “I found it really difficult,” he admitted. “But it’s a new year, a sort of fresh start, and hopefully I can kick on from here.”
Determined to reclaim his form and rhythm, Grealish has shown glimpses of resurgence in recent matches against Crystal Palace, Salford, and Orient. “I am trying to be involved more in the goals and assists. I want to start playing more often and have that rhythm—the way I was a couple of years ago when I was playing a lot of games in a row,” he explained.
His desire for consistency shines through, as he acknowledges the challenges of adapting to a stop-start role. “I do find it difficult at times to come in and out of games, not really playing. Hopefully I can keep training well and playing a few more games.”
Despite City’s struggles against Leyton Orient, Grealish took time to commend their spirited opponents. “A lot of credit has to go to Orient—they were outstanding. The fans were brilliant, their keeper was brilliant, and I love playing at grounds like this. It brings me back to my childhood.”
As 2025 unfolds, Grealish stands at the crossroads of renewal. With personal happiness grounding him and a fierce determination driving him, he hopes to turn the page on a difficult year and script a new chapter filled with success, both on and off the pitch
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