Manchester City midfielder Jack Grealish says 2024 was the ‘most difficult year’ of his life.
The winger fell out of favour at the Etihad, starting just ten Premier League matches as City made it four league titles in a row.
Grealish was then snubbed by Gareth Southgate for England’s Euro 2024 squad.
In 15 Premier League matches this season, Grealish has failed to score and provided just one assist.
The former Aston Villa captain became a father in October, when his partner Sasha gave birth to a daughter.
Grealish says that was the high point of an otherwise testing and difficult 12 months.
‘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,’ said Grealish.
‘I found it really difficult. But it’s a new year, a sort of fresh start, and hopefully I can kick on from here.’
Grealish started and played 90 minutes in City’s 2-1 win against Leyton Orient in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Saturday.
The midfielder hopes regular game time can help him play his way back into form.
‘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.’