LAID BACK JACK I was doing what lots of other footballers were doing... I must get more attention when I am in Ibiza or Vegas than others

GREALISH on his Manchester City form: I knew it wasn’t going to be all laughs... you have to start like Haaland... that’s the only way you’re not getting caned

CONSIDERING there are a lot of pundits forming an orderly queue to give Jack Grealish a bit of a kicking, the Manchester City man takes it all in pretty good spirit.

“When I signed for Man City and the price that came with it, I knew it wasn’t going to be all laughs... unless I started the way Erling Haaland has,” smiled Grealish (left). “That was the only way I wouldn’t get caned.”

Grealish also finds it amusing when people say he is not having the same impact as he had at Aston Villa, pointing out that competition for attacking places is a little stiffer at the Etihad.

“We’ve got a full-back, Joao Cancelo, who is one of the best wingers in the world,” said Grealish, wryly. “Then there’s Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden…”

On a roll, Grealish, 27, points out that he has had some injury issues, not least at the start of this season, and that suggestions his summer partying was excessive are very wide of the mark. “I was just doing what a lot of other footballers were doing, but, just sometimes, I get more attention when I’m on holiday in Ibiza (right) or Vegas,” he said.

“I was putting up photos of me working but I don’t know if a lot of people spoke about that. I tried to come back as fit as possible and I felt like I did.

“I’ve seen the manager say that a few times about me.”

All in all, a rigorous defence of himself but, deep down, Grealish (above with Haaland) KNOWS – despite one Premier League medal already in his pocket – that, after the record-breaking move, he has not had the sort of impact he would have hoped for.

“Listen, if I am not playing well, I know within myself,” he explained. “I always watch my games back and I am very critical of myself.

“I know there were games, especially in the second half of last season where I wasn’t at my best at all. Unfortunately for me, I came back fit for a strong

GREALISH on his summer holiday snaps:

pre-season but then got injured in the second game.

“I know what I’m like and how professional I actually am and hopefully I can just get my performances back to where I was when I’m playing at my best.

“I know how good I actually am when I’m at my best so hopefully I can get that back.”

There was certainly an encouraging sign at Molineux last weekend when Grealish scored his first goal of the season. But when it comes to City, there is only one player everyone is talking about – that man, Haaland. “Everywhere I go now – whether it be family, friends, people in the street – they always say ‘What’s he like?’...and I can’t speak highly enough of him,” said Grealish.

“He is an unbelievable player and a brilliant person, so humble for what he has achieved already.

“I actually think I could get something off him.

“His mindset for scoring goals is unbelievable. If I could take anything off him,

it would be that.”