Man City star Jack Grealish highlights the contradiction in what we expect from our footballers

To borrow a phrase made popular by social media, Jack Grealish is living his best life.

Following a £100million move to Manchester City last summer, the 26-year-old ended his first season away from boyhood club Aston Villa by doing something he'd always dreamed of - lifting the Premier League trophy.

As would anyone put in the situation of achieving a lifelong dream, a celebration was in order. Between City's final game of the season and meeting up with the England squad, Grealish let his hair down during City's title celebrations before spending a few days on holiday in Ibiza.

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Such is the pedestal that English football fans and pundits place players on, Grealish has drawn criticism for his extravagant celebrations - largely because alcohol was involved. The episode has highlighted the contradictory ways in which we as a nation view our footballing heroes.

Rightly or wrongly, Grealish has earned a reputation for being a party lover who isn't averse to a drink and a night on the town. If this was frequently inhibiting his ability to perform as an elite athlete then criticism would be justified, but it's not. There was one incident earlier in the season when he and Phil Foden were dropped after turning up to training in poor condition, but that aside, Grealish has looked fit and sharp all season.

The British public seems a little confused about what they want from their footballers. Supporters moan about modern players being dull, media-trained robots, who give formulaic interviews and whose social media accounts are run by PR firms. But God help us when finally, finally a top-level club signs a player who combines elite talent with