Grealish admits he didn't help himself at Manchester City as he seeks renewal on Merseyside

Jack Grealish has admitted he didn't 'help himself' with his off-the-pitch antics during his time at Manchester City. After a club-record transfer from Aston Villa in 2021 for £100 million, the 30-year-old spent four seasons under Pep Guardiola, helping the club win the Premier League, the Champions League and the Carabao Cup, but scoring just 17 goals in 157 appearances.

Grealish reflected on where things went wrong, telling Sky Sports that while people say he 'likes to go out, he likes to party,' he also recognises there are times when those choices were ill-timed. 'Sometimes, I'll be honest with you, I probably haven't picked the right times. At City, I didn't help myself at times, but then I don't think it was all down to that.'

He left City for Everton on a season-long loan in the summer, and he has looked rejuvenated on Merseyside this season. In seven appearances, he has four assists and has the swagger and confidence his critics long argued he lacked. He attributes much of his early-season lift to Everton manager David Moyes, who has encouraged him to express himself on the left wing. 'I'm at my best when I feel loved,' Grealish said. 'You know, I'm quite vulnerable off the pitch and I wanted to go somewhere to just feel the love again and just wake up with a smile on my face and want to play again.' 'I don't mean this in an arrogant way but I do like it when managers say, 'you're the footballer, go and do what you want to do'. It's a simple idea, but it changes how you approach the game.'

Grealish is back in action on Monday evening as West Ham United, under new manager Nuno Espirito Santo, travel to Hill Dickinson Stadium. The fixture comes fresh off the sacking of Graham Potter, who lost his job as Hammers boss on Saturday morning after a torrid start to the season. Everton go into the fixture in 12th position, having won two of their opening five fixtures.