Grealish reflects on 'most difficult year' of his life despite birth of daughter

Jack Grealish has admitted that 2024 was 'the most difficult year' of his life.

The former Aston Villa captain was part of a Manchester City side that won a fourth Premier League title in a row last season.

However, he only started 10 league games in that record-breaking campaign, before missing out on a place in the England squad for Euro 2024.

Grealish who became a father for the first time in October last year when his partner Sasha Attwood gave birth to their daughter Mila Rose - has again been used as a bit-part player by City boss Pep Guardiola this season.

On Saturday, he played the full 90 minutes for only the fourth time since October when he helped City scrape past Leyton Orient in the FA Cup.

Speaking to reporters after that 2-1 win, Grealish reflected on a tough 12 months.

Grealish said: 'Last year, the whole year itself, it was weird because my little daughter was born, but apart from that it was one of the most difficult years - probably the most difficult year of my life for many reasons, on and off the pitch.

'I found it really difficult. But it's a new year, a sort of fresh start, and hopefully I can kick on from here.

'I feel like in my last few games that I have played - against Palace, Salford and Orient - I am trying to be involved more in the goals and assists.

'Listen, I want to start playing more often and have that rhythm - the way I was a couple of years ago when I was playing a lot of games in a row.

'I do find it difficult at times to come in and out of games, not really playing. Hopefully I can keep training well and playing a few more games.'

Much of Grealish's game time this season has come in the cup competitions. But with the reigning champions 15 points off the summit in the Premier League, it is those tournaments that must now serve as City's top priorities.

Next up for Grealish and Co is a clash with Real Madrid in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League playoff.

City and Madrid both finished outside of the top eight in the league phase in Europe's top club competition and must therefore battle it out for a place in the round of 16.

'That's the beauty of this world that we live in - we are going from Leyton Orient on Saturday to Real Madrid on Tuesday,' Grealish continued.

Reflecting on Saturday's surprisingly tricky match, in which City were trailing against League One opposition at half-time, Grealish added: 'A lot of credit has to go to Orient - they were outstanding.

'The fans were brilliant, their keeper was brilliant and I love playing at grounds like this. I have come up through the ranks and it does bring me back to my childhood.'