Grealish rejects Southgate’s ‘anxiety’ claims as he makes ‘desperate’ Man City admission
Jack Grealish says he isn’t “disagreeing” with England manager Gareth Southgate but the Man City star has rejected his claims he had “anxiety” about being trophyless in his first season at the Etihad Stadium.
The winger joined Man City last summer from Aston Villa for £100m after contributing six goals and ten assists in 26 Premier League appearances the previous season.
He was expected to push on this campaign under Pep Guardiola at Man City but that hasn’t happened with Grealish managing just three goals and three assists in 26 appearances this term.
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Man City were pushed all the way by Liverpool in the Premier League title race but Grealish managed to get his hands on his first piece of silverware after triumphing on the final day of the campaign.
And Southgate suggested a week ago that there was probably “some anxiety about going there and not winning a trophy” but Grealish insisted he was more “desperate” than anxious.
Grealish told the Daily Mirror: “I wouldn’t say anxiety. That doesn’t mean I’m disagreeing with what the manager said. Not anxiety, but I was desperate to win something.
“To win the Premier League, which was the main thing that I wanted to win, was a nice way to end the season.”
Grealish added: “It was unbelievable to win the league. I wanted to win titles and get medals. Obviously I won the play-off final – I highly regard that. It’s a great achievement.
“But then winning the Premier League; well, obviously, is winning the Premier League. It speaks for itself. It was an unbelievable day – and an unbelievable few days actually celebrating something that I’ve always wanted to do. It was something that I will never, ever forget.
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