After rising through the youth ranks at Aston Villa, and going on to make 213 appearances for his boyhood club, the 27-year-old made the switch to the Etihad Stadium ahead of the 2021/22 campaign.
Across his first season in Manchester, he scored six goals and registered four assists as we lifted the Premier League title at the season’s end.
Now, though, he feels he’s showing the sky blue faithful what he can truly produce on the field.
Since the start of 2023, he’s scored twice and registered five assists in all competitions and is continually one of the first names on the teamsheet.
That haul includes a crucial strike in our 3-1 league victory at Arsenal in February, after setting-up Riyad Mahrez‘s effort in our 1-0 success over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in January.
And Grealish feels he’s recaptured his scintillating Villans form which prompted Pep Guardiola to swoop for his signature.
“I feel I am in the best form since I moved to City,” he explained.
“I feel a bit like I did when I was at Aston Villa. I feel like one of the main players and it is the fittest I’ve been.
“That comes down to playing a lot of games on the bounce and playing in big games and making an impact, like scoring against Arsenal and [Manchester] United and getting assists at Chelsea away and Arsenal in the cup.
“I’m really confident at the moment. [Guardiola] is trusting me in big games and I do feel I have repaid him, played my part and done well.”
Such form has seen Grealish called into Gareth Southgate’s England squad for EURO 2024 qualifiers against Italy and Ukraine, alongside City colleagues John Stones, Kyle Walker, Kalvin Phillips and Phil Foden.
The two-week international break hands the wing wizard the chance to win his 30th cap for his country after featuring prominently at EURO 2020 and at the 2022 World Cup and their respective qualification campaigns.
Under the stewardship of Southgate, the Three Lions reached the final of the former tournament and the quarter-finals of the latter.
And Grealish paid tribute to his international manager ahead of the meeting with Roberto Mancini’s side on Thursday, 23 March in Naples.
He added: “Gareth called me up to my first squad, he gave me my debut and he has given me chances to play for my country,” Grealish explained. “It’s the best thing that can happen to you as a player.
“Go and ask anyone in that changing room what they think of Gareth and they would all say the same: ‘he is a brilliant manager and a brilliant person as well’.
“I can’t speak highly enough of him for what he has done for me.
“We have come close [to winning trophies] so many times. The last three tournaments have been a semi-final, a final and then the quarters.
“I think it is obvious what we want to do and I think we are getting better and better. Players are coming through and playing with so much confidence.
“I feel like the next one really could be our one. Everyone will be in their prime. I actually feel old at the moment but when I think about it, I will only be 28 at the Euros. It’s no secret that we all want to win a tournament – and I do think it is there to be done.”
