Manchester City are set to kick off their 2024/25 Premier League season next week.
After becoming the first team to win four consecutive top-flight trophies at the end of their previous campaign, City then went on to complete a pre-season tour of America.
Even though the majority of Pep Guardiola’s senior squad weren’t involved in the tour, several first-team figures got the chance to get back to full fitness ahead of the new season.
Ahead of the new campaign, a pundit has shared his thoughts on one particular City player, including what the upcoming season could hold for him and what he’s heard about what he’s been doing in the pre-season period.
Tony Cascarino shares what he’s heard about Jack Grealish recently
When asked in a recent video shared on the talkSPORT YouTube channel if he thinks this upcoming season will be one that Jack Grealish will need to prove himself in, Tony Cascarino had this to say in response.
He said: “I hope so. I’ve heard a lot this summer that Jack Grealish has really put himself through to give him the hardest pre-season and be absolutely ready.
“Last year he wasn’t ready. They won the title he had a decent season in the year before and he didn’t look like he was ever up to speed last year like we know what Jack Grealish is capable of.
“The problem he’s got, he went from not second choice, he went to third choice at City. That’s a big difference.
“When [Jeremy] Doku got in front of him, Jack was falling down the pecking order quite quickly. And for periods he was third choice in whether he would play in big Champions League games, whether he would play in big Premier League games.
“Jack is fighting for a place at Man City. That’s clear, but that’s the way Guardiola wants it.”
Grealish will be desperate to shine this season
After only starting 10 of the 20 Premier League games he appeared in last season, the winger admitted in an interview with The Athletic that he struggled with his confidence and other issues at points throughout the campaign.
With Guardiola saying last month that Grealish returned to pre-season training in “perfect” shape, this backs up what Cascarino had heard on the matter.
Looking ahead to the new season, everyone at City will undoubtedly be hoping that the Englishman can get himself back on track, play a prominent role in the team and lead them to more silverware.
