‘It’s all fun and games’: Jack Grealish insists it’s ‘nice when fans give him stick’ after Chelsea fans jeered him during Manchester City’s 1-0 win on Thursday
Jack Grealish has revealed how he took the abuse he was lobbed at by opposing supporters – and is having fun dishing out the answers.
The Manchester City winger proved instrumental in Thursday night’s narrow one-goal victory at Chelsea, which brought the Premier League champions within five points of leaders Arsenal.
Grealish was met with jeers by the home fans at Stamford Bridge, something he often accepts when City play.
Jack Grealish (centre) admits he enjoys the abuse he receives from opposition fans
Grealish sets up Riyad Mahrez (left) for his goal in Man City’s 1-0 win over Chelsea on Thursday
The 27-year-old was consistently booed by Leeds United supporters over the Christmas period, and ended up being applauded by all four sides of Elland Road in response when Pep Guardiola pulled back.
‘Isn’t it nice when fans give you sticks?’ he said. ‘At the end of the day it’s just bullshit, right? They give us a lot of stick, so you have to give it back it’s all a laugh isn’t it.
‘I was there when I was on the home team and the home fans were giving one of the away players a bit of stick so it was all fun and games. I like this.’
The England star (right) said it was ‘all fun and games’ when the opposition fans gave him a hard time
Grealish admits the result against Chelsea was ‘massive’ as Man City chase down Arsenal
Grealish has drawn criticism for a lack of goal contributions since his £100million move from Aston Villa but has essentially retained the trust of his manager. He has now registered three assists in his last three matches.
Guardiola has revealed how Grealish’s body language continues to be encouraging, despite not being selected, and that he has a key role to play within the squad as they battle it out across four fronts ahead of tomorrow’s FA Cup tie against Graham Potter’s Blues.
Although attention will turn to the club’s quest for a fifth league title in six years this weekend, Grealish believes they are ready to topple Arsenal.
The two sides will meet for a showdown at the Emirates Stadium next month.
‘We’ve just got to try and catch them and try to win as many games as possible and go on a little winning run,’ Grealish said.
‘I’m sure if we do, I’m sure we’ll be ready to pounce [them] if they slip.
City are five points behind Arsenal and Grealish says they are ‘ready to ride’ any slips
‘We are second at the moment but all we can do is keep winning games and putting in good performances.
‘Chelsea are big, to be honest. We’re chasing Arsenal and I don’t want to talk too much about that, but this is what we know.
‘We have incredible players in the forward positions so we know we won’t play every game but we have to be there and ready when called upon.’
