HE’LL FIRE US TO THE HAAL OF FAME
Grealish believes Haaland - the ‘best striker in the world’ - can help City win the quadruple next season
JACK GREALISH can’t wait to link up with Erling Haaland – and hopes the “best striker in the world” can help him win the Quadruple with Manchester City.
The Premier League champions have wasted no time bolstering their ranks with the incoming arrival of Haaland in a £51.1million deal, while Argentine youngster Julian Alvarez will also join City in a £14m switch from River Plate.
The two arrivals are a huge signal of intent from Pep Guardiola, who will look to bounce back from his Champions League semi-final heartbreak last season.
It is the signing of Borussia Dortmund’s Norwegian superstar (far right) that has got Grealish licking his lips, as he looks to make his season a more productive one.
The former Aston Villa captain registered three goals and three assists in the Premier League in his debut City campaign and, despite helping them secure the top-flight crown, he is eager to show he can do more with the help of Haaland.
“I wish I had scored and assisted more but I didn’t say that at the start of the season when I came here,” he said.
“The one thing I said was that I wanted to win stuff and the main thing I wanted to win was the Premier League.
“That was my main target and I’ve done that. I know personally I can push on next year.
“We’ve signed a top striker, probably the best striker in the world in Haaland, so I’m sure he will contribute. It will be a season to look forward to.”
When asked whether he hopes he can hit the ground running with Haaland, Grealish added: “I hope so. But I’m sure there are a lot of people in our team thinking the same.
“It’s not just about me. I’m sure he will have a good understanding with Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden, Raheem Sterling – everyone in those forward positions. I’m looking forward to playing with him. Who wouldn’t be? As a No.9, he’s definitely in the top two, top one in the world. I can’t wait for next season.”
Grealish looks back on his first season at the Etihad with a smile on his face.
He arrived in a mammoth £100m deal, making him the most expensive footballer in Britain, and he knows that tag comes with added pressure.
His first campaign under Guardiola was a learning curve – and understandably so.
Having arrived fresh from England’s heroics at the Euros last summer, it took time for Grealish to settle and he didn’t really cement a regular firstteam spot for his new club.
However he believes he has silenced his critics by finishing the season with silverware and, in comments that will no doubt delight Guardiola, Grealish has his eyes on an historic Quadruple when he returns for pre-season.
He added: “You can imagine what the critics would have said if I would have gone for the price tag I went for and then not won anything in my first season.
“To be able to prove them wrong and even just sit at home with my Premier League medal is a dream come true.
“I just want to win everything I play in. At the end of your career, you look back on your medals and what you’ve won.
“I’m not saying I just want to win the Champions League next year. I want to win everything – the FA Cup, the Carabao Cup, the Premier League. That’s what I’ve come here to do.
“I think I will improve next year, I know I will. I know there will be even more pressure on me next year than there was this year.”
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