Raheem Sterling offers Jack Grealish two lessons to become Man City success

Jack Grealish was the poster boy that Manchester City needed to achieve European and world domination.

Signing him from Aston Villa seemed like a perfect opportunity for the Premier League champions and - splashing out a British-record £100million in used notes - they got that high-profile deal over the line after his swashbuckling performances for England at Euro 2020.

Armed with his trademark headband and miniature shin pads, Grealish became a cult hero last summer.

Only there is substance to go with that style as City wanted to replicate what David Beckham did so gloriously for Manchester United during the 1990s and early-2000s.

Commercial success would not be enough, though. Grealish had to perform. He still does.

Much has been made about the England playmaker and his first few months at the Etihad Stadium.

Given his staggering transfer fee and front-page profile, that was only ever going to be the case.

Pep Guardiola clearly saw something in Grealish and, whatever your stance on his impact thus far, three goals and the same number of assists from 16 games in the Premier League is not enough. Statistics do not tell the full story, of course, but there is a clear example for the 26-year-old to follow to ensure that he ultimately becomes a success in his own right on the blue side of this famous footballing city.

There are other mitigating circumstances, too, as City look for conclusive repayment on their investment.

England teammate Raheem Sterling might only be 10 months older than Grealish but, in terms of their progression, can serve as a benchmark for the floppy-haired number ten; a man seemingly earmarked and sworn in by Guardiola as his replacement. How things have changed.

It's coming up seven years since