Former Aston Villa manager Dean Smith says Jack Grealish will use being dropped by England as “fire” for the new season.
The 28-year-old, who Smith managed during his rise at Villa, before joining Charlotte FC in the United States, has matured in recent years.
The pair reconnected during City’s pre-season tour of the United States and discussed the England ommission, which Grealish admitted he was “absolutely heartbroken” about.
Smith said: “He will use that as fire now, and he is becoming a parent soon as well.
“I think that maturation of Jack that we have seen over the years is coming to the fore and hopefully he can carry on his form from pre-season into the new season.
“He is a top player. He has gone to Manchester City and won everything with them since he’s been there. He was an integral part of that Treble win. I have no doubts he’ll come to the fore as he always does.”
A clip of Grealish helping a young boy went viral after a match in the US and Smith said: “He’s just a normal and really loving and humble person as well.
“Everybody in that dressing room loves him as soon they meet him and he’s no different now at Manchester City [to Villa].”
His manager Pep Guardiola has since admitted that Grealish is a doubt to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on the opening day in the Premier League after missing the Community Shield match on Saturday.
Only four other players had completed more minutes for City in pre-season.
