The figures certainly prove that he’s stepped up a gear since the winter World Cup.
He has six goals and assists since Qatar compared to one before the tournament.
His tally of four assists puts him top of the City charts alongside Riyad Mahrez.
Grealish is also currently at 134 minutes per goal or assist since the tournament, compared to 550 before the global event.
He created two in the 3-1 win at Leeds, he set up the winner in the 1-0 away victory at Chelsea and the opener in the 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest. He also scored in the Manchester Derby and in the important 3-1 win at Arsenal.
His effort against the Gunners is up for Nissan Goal of the Month for February while Grealish himself is nominated for Etihad Player of the Month for February, too.
Our wing wonder is flying high in many ratings - top of ‘fouls won’ with 35, with Mahrez in second with 21, top of ‘dribbles completed’ with 17, eight ahead of Mahrez and also top of ‘touches in the opposition box’ with 67, ahead of Erling Haaland in second with 56.
JACK GREALISH | PRECIOUS GEM TO CROWN JEWEL
As well as that, he’s second in ‘chances created’ with 18, second only to Kevin De Bruyne with 28 while the confidence shown in him by Pep Guardiola is summed up by the fact he’s fourth when it comes to ‘most minutes played’ since the World Cup, with 801 minutes, behind only Ederson on 990 minutes, Rodri on 938 minutes and Erling Haaland on 897 minutes.
This all points to a player growing in belief – and growing in influence.
He said: “I feel like my form has improved and I feel like I am playing with confidence now.
“The goals and the assists are coming and I am doing it in the big games.
“I think it is important that I am getting goals and assists in important situations.
“It is always nice to get goals and assists but to do it in games that mean a lot, like when you are drawing and it puts your team 2-1 up is different to when you are winning 4-0 and you score to make it 5-0.
“I feel like I am contributing in these big games so hopefully it can continue.”
| 1 |
|
Manchester City Man City | 38 | 28 | 7 | 3 | 96 | 34 | 62 | 91 | WWWWW | |
| 2 |
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Arsenal Arsenal | 38 | 28 | 5 | 5 | 91 | 29 | 62 | 89 | WWWWW | |
| 3 |
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Liverpool Liverpool | 38 | 24 | 10 | 4 | 86 | 41 | 45 | 82 | LDWDW |
Grealish is in positive mood about his form and he’s taking this optimistic approach into the Premier League title race too.
There are 13 games remaining for City and Arsenal, occupying the top two spots, with five points separating us, with Manchester United a further place and six points back, with one game in hand.
Grealish says he’s relishing the battle for the crown.
He continued: “You have got to enjoy it.
“It is going to be fun, it is going to be difficult also.
“[Arsenal] are obviously playing well, but it is one of them where for us all we have to do is concentrate on ourselves, keep performing and play to the best of our ability. I am sure the results will come.
“We won the game [at the Emirates] and I think everyone saw that as a final really, but it wasn’t really like that.
“We still have so many games left. It was a game that both teams obviously wanted to win but we knew if we won that it wasn’t going to be the end and if we lost it wasn’t going to be the end.
“It was a nice game to win but we are still five points behind them, but I feel like all we can do is concentrate on ourselves and hopefully we can catch them up.”
Our next encounter in the set of remaining matches is Newcastle United.
We face the Magpies on Saturday with a 12:30 (UK) kick-off at the Emirates Stadium.
Grealish knows it will be a tough assignment although he’s looking forward to enjoying home comforts after five games in succession on the road.
City v Newcastle United | Match preview
He added: “They are a hardworking, honest team with a lot of talent.
“I think they have been brilliant this season and have a brilliant manager. Credit to them, they have been brilliant.
“They are going to want to bounce back from their defeat last weekend in the final, so we are going to be expecting a really tough game.
“It is a game we are looking forward to back at the Etihad, we have had a lot of away games recently so it will be nice to go back there.
“One of my best friends from Villa is there, Matt Targett and one of my best friends from the England team, Nick Pope. I am looking forward to playing against them.
“They have brilliant players all over the pitch; Bruno, Almiron, Joelinton, a lot of talent all over the pitch.
“It is going to be a tough game, but something we are looking forward to.”
