Jack Grealish has just told Man City how they can finally get the best out of him

Jack Grealish isn't like most other footballers, especially when he faces the media.

This week's press conference on England duty saw Grealish jokingly challenge the reporters present about the criticism he receives, defend Gareth Southgate from any doubters in the England boss, call out Graeme Souness for 'having a problem' with him, and speak honestly about his form at Manchester City.

There were no standard footballer answers here, and if they were, they undoubtedly came from a place of truth as Grealish spoke freely about where he sits at this stage of his career. While the Souness comments and his defence of his summer holiday activities will obviously get the headlines, there was also plenty that Grealish revealed about his time at City, as the debate continues around how to get the best out of him.

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“Listen, if I am not playing well, I know within myself,” he said. “I always watch my games back and I am very critical of myself. I know that there were games, especially in the second half of last season, where I wasn’t at my best at all.

“Unfortunately for me, I came back fit for a strong pre-season but then got injured in the second game. I know what I’m like and how professional I actually am and hopefully I can just get my performances back to where I was when I’m playing at my best. I know how good I actually am when I’m at my best so hopefully I can get that back.”

Grealish also pointed to the fitness work he did over the summer while away, noting that some sections of the media overlooked that in favour of his partying on holiday.

“I feel like I was just doing what a lot of other footballers are doing,