Jack Grealish has opened up about the challenges he faced throughout 2024, describing it as the most difficult year of his life. The Manchester City winger struggled to maintain his place in the team and endured a season filled with setbacks, both at the club and international levels.
During the 2023-24 Premier League season, Grealish found himself on the fringes of Pep Guardiola’s squad, making only a limited number of appearances. Despite being a key player for City in previous seasons, he saw his playing time significantly reduced, featuring in just ten league matches as Manchester City went on to win their fourth consecutive Premier League title. His reduced role marked a stark contrast to the influence he had in previous campaigns when he played a more prominent role in the club’s domestic and European successes.
Grealish’s struggles at City were compounded by disappointment on the international stage. Despite his past contributions to the England national team, he was not selected by manager Gareth Southgate for the Three Lions’ Euro 2024 squad. This omission was a major blow for the winger, who had been a part of England’s setup in previous tournaments, including Euro 2020 and the 2022 FIFA World Cup. His absence from the squad highlighted the difficulties he had faced throughout the year, as he struggled for form and consistency.
Reflecting on the year, Grealish admitted that it had been an emotionally and professionally challenging period for him. Losing his place in Manchester City’s starting lineup and being overlooked for a major international tournament were significant setbacks that tested his resilience. The 28-year-old has been open about his frustration, acknowledging that he had higher expectations for himself and had hoped to contribute more to both his club and country.
Despite these struggles, Grealish remains determined to regain his form and prove himself once again. He understands the competition for places in both Manchester City and the England squad is fierce, but he is focused on working hard to reclaim his spot. The winger has faced adversity before in his career and has managed to overcome challenges, which gives him hope for the future.
As he looks ahead, Grealish will be eager to put this difficult chapter behind him and re-establish himself as a key player. Whether at club or international level, he will be motivated to prove his critics wrong and demonstrate his quality once more. While 2024 was a tough year for him, he remains committed to bouncing back stronger in the seasons to come.
