Jack Grealish has addressed the scrutiny he came under for celebrating Manchester City's dramatic Premier League title win last season.
It’s safe to say that after his first season at Manchester City, Jack Grealish has faced all the trials and tribulations that come with playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world.
Joining the Sky Blues in a record British transfer, the £100 million man has been under constant scrutiny for failing to live up to his price tag so far.
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Additionally, the England international is yet to truly flourish in Pep Guardiola’s intricate setup - considered by many as one of the most detailed tactical systems in world football.
Another hard pill to swallow for the Solihull-born attacker has been that his place is anything but guaranteed at City, unlike during his time at Aston Villa.
However, the 26-year-old has realised it the hard way that aside from the criticism he receives for his showings on the pitch, an equal amount of harsh spotlight remains on his time away from football.
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Grealish was on the receiving end of widespread slander after his critics were baffled by his boozy celebrations in City's Premier League title parade.
This flak carried on when Grealish was pictured at popular holiday destinations such as Ibiza and Las Vegas, living it up during the off-season after winning his first ever league title.
Having returned to pre-season looking sharp, he has hit out at his critics that have given him stick for his partying antics.
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“It's just one of them, when I do something, partying or whatever, it's going to get picked up on more than others,” Grealish said, as quoted by the Manchester Evening News.
“I’ve seen a lot of people in Ibiza and Vegas who didn’t get anywhere near what I got. People don’t want to see you training hard after the season.
"They want to see other stuff – controversial type stuff. I’ve just tried to get used to that now."
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Grealish has made a few encouraging outings in pre-season after some heavy work on his fitness this summer to help him prepare for his second year in Manchester.
He added: "It was difficult earlier on in my career but I’ve had to get used to it.
"I knew that coming to one of the biggest clubs in the world, and the best club in England. That I was going to get more of that."
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The former Aston Villa captain also touched on why he believes City’s new arrivals may also receive similar treatment for what they get up to off the pitch.
Grealish said: “I’ve had to deal with it. Others will get it I suppose - Erling (Haaland), Kalvin (Phillips). It’s part and parcel of playing for a massive club.
"Obviously, I'm enjoying myself. I went to Ibiza after Manchester City won the Premier League and then I went to Vegas after my England trip, and then apart from that, I was away with my girlfriend, working hard and trying to get back training.”
While the uproar around Grealish’s flamboyant ways is not expected to stop anytime soon, the best way the Manchester City star can silence his detractors is by proving his worth on the pitch next season.
Topics: Manchester City, Premier League, Jack Grealish, Aston Villa, Pep Guardiola
Srinivas Sadhanand