Grealish can feel the love

THERE are a few contenders for who might claim to have made a difference to Manchester City this season.

Where else to start but Erling Haaland’s goals? Perhaps Kevin De Bruyne’s enduring excellence, Rodri’s muscle, John Stones’ reinvention? Or Ilkay Gundogan’s star presence?

Yet few can claim to have made as much improvement in 12 months as Jack Grealish. Last night he showed just why his name is already inked on the teamsheet for Istanbul.

A year ago the British record signing was struggling with the weight of a £100million price tag. He was an expensive bench warmer as City competed in Europe.

Grealish, left, made just 22 Premier League starts, did not feature against Sporting Lisbon, played 22 minutes against Atletico Madrid in the quarterfinal and was trusted to come on against Real Madrid in the Bernabeu only when City were running down the clock.

This season he has started all but one Champions League match.

It is no easy task keeping Phil Foden out of the side but Grealish has. His improvement has been mental as much as physical.

His self-doubt has been banished. Last night he tormented Real Madrid and dominated the left flank.

A lovely first touch helped him ghost past Dani Carvajal and float the ball for Bernardo Silva and an electrifying run brought the first of many choruses of ‘Super Jack’.

And there was an honorary assist when his ball to Gundogan looped up for Bernardo to score his second.

His best moment, demonstrating how much he has changed, came when he chose to hold and pass the ball back instead of lose it forward, which brought extravagant kisses blown at him by his manager.

Twelve months on, feeling the love like never before.