It was shortly before last season’s FA Cup final when Jack Grealish, growing increasingly frustrated at the direction of his campaign, had a crucial Pep talk.
Ahead of the showpiece against Manchester United at Wembley in May, Pep Guardiola pulled Grealish aside and told him to remember the struggles of an injury-ravaged season and use it as motivation.
Another low moment then followed, with Manchester City’s £100 million signing failing to come off the bench in that final.
Weeks later he suffered the “devastation” of being left out of England’s squad for Euro 2024, with the decision bewildering many of the squad.
Harry Kane, the England captain, even approached manager Gareth Southgate to try to find out the reasoning behind his exclusion on behalf of the players.
It seemed as if Grealish was at a crossroads. With only 10 league starts in 2023-24, and just three goals and three assists in all competitions, it was undoubtedly a season to forget. There was also the nightmarish experience of a burglary at his Knutsford home, which took place in December last year when he was playing for City at Everton.
Yet now, it appears Jack is back. Grealish has proven adept at defying adversity throughout his career, and the early signs are suggesting that he will do it again.
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