Grealish is relishing his role as Manchester City's pantomime villain

Jack Grealish is so fired up this pre-season that he bolted straight back into Manchester City’s dressing room to check the footage of refereeing decisions in Wednesday’s friendly.

‘Friendly’ is a stretch, because Club America took great pleasure in booting Grealish around the NRG Stadium’s cabbage patch. With that, and the Mexican fans jeering his every touch, Grealish must have felt right at home.

He relishes playing the villain, thrives off rough contact from markers and, in that sense, this 2-1 victory was perfect preparation. Even so, the forward came away from an encouraging display miffed that decisions went against him — much like the majority of his debut year at City.

‘I don’t mind getting kicked. I’ve watched them back,’ said Grealish. ‘There were two definite penalties. I said to the ref, “If it’s not a penalty then surely you have to book me?”. He said there was contact. I said, “How’s it not a penalty then?”’

City have only been training for a week yet Grealish looks in the mood already. Frustrated at missing one good chance, he knows scoring more is a necessity but understands dragging defenders away from their natural stations and acting as a decoy for others is equally important in a Pep Guardiola team. He has always done that with skill.

In Houston, though, carrying the ball for so long meant the chorus booing from around a third of the 61,000 fans became even more elongated. And it was loud.

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