Jack Grealish Ranks New Man City Team-mate Kevin De Bruyne as World's Best Behind Messi and Ronaldo
By Amreen
New Manchester City signing Jack Grealish has hailed Kevin De Bruyne as the best player in the world behind Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Pep Guardiola's side announced the British transfer record-breaking £100million signing of the England international from Aston Villa on Thursday, and Grealish admitted he is excited to play alongside of his favourite players.
“I have spoken about him a good few times. I have always said that apart from Ronaldo and Messi I think he is the best in the world," Grealish said in his first interview as a City player. "I think he has got absolutely everything. He is another one where I don’t think people give him credit for how fast he is.
?????: Jack Grealish will undergo his #ManCity medical, finalising a £100M transfer from Aston Villa, and finally linking-up with his ????????? player: @DeBruyneKev. ???????? @ManCity pic.twitter.com/RG65xQ3Acj
— City Xtra (@City_Xtra) August 4, 2021
"He normally knocks the ball by defenders, his final ball is obviously unbelievable. That is something that, in the season before I got six assists and I sat down with the manager and I was watching clips of Kevin De Bruyne at Villa. I said that this is what I want to do, I want my end ball to be like his and that is something I practiced on.
"Then, last season I ended up getting 10 assists in 25 or 26 games which is a good return. That is what I based it off, the way he plays and the way he always finds that perfect final ball. I have never played alongside him, I have played against him a few times, got his shirt, but he is one that I cannot wait to play alongside.”
Grealish added that he is ready to fight for his spot in Guardiola's team despite the talent around him. “That is what you need. It is something that I thrive off and I think everyone needs to be kept on their toes for competition for places," he said.
"There is so much talent here and I just cannot wait to get in and amongst it and speak with these guys. I still think I am young, I am only 25, so I can still learn from all these people. I can’t wait to do that, to play and train with them and just be in and around them. You can learn from these people and I cannot wait to get started and to get playing."