Ilkay Gundogan has defended his former Manchester City teammate Jack Grealish and slammed his critics. Gundogan and Grealish recently enjoyed the most successful season in Manchester City’s history. Pep Guardiola‘s side finally broke their Champions League curse and also won the treble. Moreover, City also won the Premier League again in a neck-and-neck competition with Arsenal.
Following their victory, the Manchester City players were seen celebrating and partying. However, Grealish’s celebrations particularly caught the fans’ attention. The Manchester City forward was seen drinking heavily during the celebrations. He was seen downing multiple bottles of beer and other alcoholic drinks without any break, which got the fans and the pundits questioning Grealish’s professionalism.
Although Grealish‘s former Manchester City teammate Ilkay Gundogan has come to his support. The new FC Barcelona midfielder said, “I just want to say that (Jack Grealish) is so misunderstood by some of the media. He is one of the nicest guys I’ve met in football. He’s so much fun to be around and so humble and pure. I felt so happy for his success this season.“
He further added, “Because I know what it’s like to come to a big club for a lot of money, with all that pressure. He worked so hard to get to another level this season, and he was fantastic for us.” Gundogan was referring to Grealish’s huge price tag of $142 million that the City paid to Aston Villa for him. Although Grealish has been criticized for not scoring many goals, he has been a decisive member of Guardiola’s side.
Jack Grealish’s behavior draws comparison with English soccer legend
Ex-Sky Sports commentator Richard Keys has brutally condemned Jack Grealish for his binge drinking during Manchester City’s title celebrations. Grealish’s drinking shocked everyone since one expects professional soccer stars to maintain healthy lifestyle habits. Although fans cut the English star some slack because he was celebrating after the end of the season, some of his drunken antics were appalling.
Jack Grealish had to be held up by Kyle Walker as he left their hotel in Ibiza on Monday morning, before being offered a wheelchair by staff at the airport.
📸 Splash, @SunSport pic.twitter.com/Sd2yM1Zk1d
— City Xtra (@City_Xtra) June 12, 2023
A sleep-deprived Grealish was spotted gulping down a bottle of vodka while trying to imitate a turkey. Moreover, the former Aston Villa star was so drunk to walk back to the plane from his hotel that his teammate Kyle Walker had to push him in a wheelchair. Grealish’s wild behavior has led to Richard Keys comparing the City star with English soccer legend Paul Gascoigne.
Keys said, “Hilarious. What a lad! The trouble is Jack that there’s nothing funny about alcohol abuse. Celebrate by all means – responsibly. It didn’t work out too well for Gazza did it? Our last ‘lad’.” Paul Gascoigne, who was nicknamed Gazza, had faced several problems with alcoholism and drug addiction during his career. However, Grealish has also come clean about his behavior and has claimed that he has “no regrets.“
Hilarious. What a lad. The trouble is Jack that there’s nothing funny about alcohol abuse. Celebrate by all means – responsibly. It didn’t work out too well for Gazza did it? Our last ‘lad’. pic.twitter.com/yFGZT0wwHC
— Richard Keys (@richardajkeys) June 21, 2023
He said, “I would never sit here and lie to you and say ‘Yeah, I don’t drink and I don’t party’ because I do. I’m living my dream of playing for the best club in the world in my opinion, we’ve just won the treble so I’m going to obviously have a break now with my family and my friends.” Grealish further stated that he was a “bit hungover” when he arrived for national duty for England a few days after the title celebrations.