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Daily Mail
27 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Where it all went wrong for Jack Grealish: Star touted as new Beckham is now relegated to Everton - as expert reveals how wild nights out, driving ban and 'secret romances' have killed chance at global stardom
When Jack Grealish signed for Manchester City from Aston Villa for a then-British record of £100million in the summer of 2021, the winger had the world at his feet. With his floppy, highlighted hair, easy going personality and a pair of calves so lusted after they still have an annual calendar dedicated to them, the Brummie footballer seemed destined to follow in the footsteps of Beckham, Ronaldo and Messi - with off-the-pitch earnings with the potential to eclipse his £300,000-a-week pay packet. The 29-year-old's mercurial dashes down the wing helped Manchester City bag a history-making four Premier League titles in a row as well as the FA Cup and the coveted Champions League trophy. Until he fell out of favour with manager Pep Guardiola last season, Grealish was, alongside Erling Haaland, one of the squad's biggest poster boys - his face flashed across Times Square in New York last summer as the club promoted itself to fans overseas. His distinct look on the pitch - socks rolled down, one leg of his shorts unfathomably rolled up and a headband pinning back his flowing locks to reveal his signature undercut and fade - has been copied by millions of young fans worldwide. This week though, as Grealish pulls on a slightly less regal shirt - after signing a season-long loan to perennial mid-table club Everton - his star potential as a 'Toffee' doesn't feel quite so lustrous. It remains to be seen whether a seven-figure, multi-year deal signed with Pepsi in April 2024 will continue as he heads for pastures new. When he signed it, he was still part of the England squad, but was dropped for the Euros by Gareth Southgate last summer. So, where did it all go wrong for a man who was widely tipped to be the pretender to Beckham's fame throne? For all his prowess on the pitch, his penchant for partying - from experimentation with 'hippy crack' as a teen baller to being denied entry to a Manchester bar in 2022 - might finally have taken the shine off his football career. Following the Merseyside move this week, one brand expert has suggested Grealish now needs to seriously reshape his image to continue to woo lucrative brands that will keep the money rolling in once he hangs up his boots. Media and PR expert Chad Teixeira says turning out for the Toffees will get him playing regular football could help him find a path back to Thomas Tuchel's England team, but adds that he'll have to work hard to rebrand himself after years of wild nights out. Teixeira told the Daily Mail: 'Grealish had all the makings of a lifestyle brand; he's charismatic, stylish, beautiful and appealing to both sports and fashion audiences. 'However, a string of negative headlines, from speeding fines to off-field controversies, has diluted that image slightly. 'Sponsors tend to favour ambassadors who project consistency, discipline, and relatability - his recent PR narrative has been less about sporting excellence and more about personal behaviour.' His ongoing commitment to a boozy night out saw him labelled early on as a 'party boy' while breaking into the first team as a young footballer at Aston Villa. Despite ever dazzling performances on the pitch, his time at the club was marred by allegations of taking 'hippy crack' and photos of him lying sprawled across a road in Tenerife following a night of heavy drinking. In 2022, footage emerged of the ex Man City player apparently being refused entry into Manchester bar Albert Schloss for being too intoxicated. In a clip shared on TikTok, Grealish was seen on the night out with former team-mates Kyle Walker and Riyad Mahrez, with another member of the players' entourage supporting an unsteady Grealish. The video, posted to the platform by Mizormalc, was captioned to make the player wince: 'Man like Jacky too drunk to get in'. The person filming can also be overheard saying: 'Jack's burst, he's not allowed inside, look at him, Jack's burst.' Despite being a bit-part player in the club's record fourth-straight league title in 2023-24, Grealish partied as hard as his team-mates, who celebrated until 5am at Greek restaurant Fenix. The new Everton signing became a father with long-term girlfriend Sasha Attwood in September 2024, with the couple welcoming daughter Mila Rose, but their on-off romance has been dogged by rumours of Grealish's wandering eye over the years. In February, the footballer, appearing worse for wear, was spotted leaving London's celeb spot Chiltern Firehouse with a mystery blonde woman. After she got into a taxi with Grealish's friend, the footballer was at pains to tell gathered paparazzi: 'She's not with me!'. Other high profile dalliances include a six-week romance with Rivals star Emily Atack. After a string of secret dates, the footballer was said to have ghosted the actress, who now shares a son with boyfriend Alistair Garner, after calling time on their affair. Love Island star Amber Gill was also an apparent object of Grealish's affection - although both vehemently denied they'd had a relationship. Lavish purchases and the astronomical wages earned by footballers go hand-in-hand, and Grealish has been as 'bougie' as they come. In May, the footballer apparently spent £100,000 chartering a private jet to take his supportive parents Kevin and Karen to see Rod Stewart in concert. The winger's watch collection alone - including a £100,000 Patek Philippe Aquanaut Green and a £50,000 Rolex Day-Date - could buy a street of houses in parts of the UK. Cars? A Lamborghini Urus, worth around £200k, is one of many highlights in a fleet of exclusive vehicles housed at his luxury £5.5million Cheshire mansion. During lockdown, though, the former Man City winger's love of fast cars saw him come unstuck. He pleaded guilty to two charges of careless driving in 2020 and was banned from driving for nine months and fined a total of £82,499 after crashing his £80,000 Range Rover into two parked vehicles. Grealish also pleaded guilty to a separate offence of careless driving. He admitted to driving at more than 90mph along the M42 at 'close to an intimidating distance'. Such misdemeanours aren't uncommon amongst footballers - David Beckham served a six-month ban for using his mobile phone while behind the wheel in 2019, but it's likely to have put another dent in the wholesome image brands look for, says our expert. Teixeira surmises that the real work for the footballer will now come both on and off the pitch: 'Grealish will have to work harder to keep his personal brand at the same level without the constant spotlight of top-tier European competition. 'Manchester City offered global exposure, Champions League football, and association with some of the biggest names in the sport, which naturally attracts blue-chip sponsors for big money deals. 'Everton, while a historic and respected club, doesn't command the same worldwide attention or media pull.' He adds: 'Although non-football earnings are still likely to be substantial, particularly from existing partnerships, but without standout performances on the pitch (not having a place in the last euros) and the media platform of an elite club, it's harder to grow that portfolio. 'For him to maintain and rebuild his commercial appeal, the focus would need to shift toward controlled storytelling, strong performances, and aligning with brands that can help reshape the narrative from 'party boy' to disciplined athlete with an enduring star power.' Grealish's fanbase remains huge though; his cheeky smile and the effort he makes to interact with fans have made him a firm favourite at all the clubs he's played at. When Man City lifted the UEFA Super Cup in 2023 after defeating Sevilla, Grealish was widely praised for showing his caring side as he took time to chat with a visually impaired girl who was helping to hand out medals. He has spoken too in the past about the inspiration he takes from his younger sister Hollie, who has cerebral palsy. The condition has significantly impacted her vision. 'With my little sister, she's been to the games but she's never been able to see me or anything because she's visually impaired,' Grealish told Mail Sport in 2023. 'Obviously it's nice to go and spend time with them (family) after the games because she gets it but she obviously can't watch the game.' After scoring against Iran at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Grealish performed a pre-arranged celebration that had been thought up by Finlay, a 12-year-old City fan who also has cerebral palsy. 'The celebration was natural, I don't do that for any clout. I do that because that's what I feel I'm good at sometimes. I can relate to it. It's nice for him because he'll go back to school and he'll probably be quite popular. 'That's just the way I've been brought up. I've got a good heart, or I think I have.' Grealish was also dubbed a 'gentleman' when he stunned regulars at a social club in the north-east earlier this year by paying £500 towards the drinks tab for everyone in the bar. Thought to have been visiting a friend - the brother of England keeper Jordan Pickford - he quietly took a table at North Biddick Social Club in Washington, Tyne and Wear, in March. When word quickly spread on social media that the midfielder was in town, the club quickly began to fill up with fans. That prompted Grealish's exit - but only after he'd spent time chatting to locals, posing for pictures and helping pay for the drinks. One local who was in the club at the time said: 'He was a really, really nice guy. Nothing was too much trouble for him, he sat and chatted with the locals and was happy to pose for pictures. 'But when he paid for everyone's drinks that was just amazing, he didn't need to do it but he did and it showed a lot of class and generosity. He'll definitely be welcome back if he ever wants to come down again.' As the footballer prepares to turn 30 in September, time is of the essence for the footballer to make an impact at says Teixeira, there may yet be another chapter in the Grealish story.
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Thomas Frank proud of Spurs players as ‘special operation' fails against PSG
Thomas Frank acknowledged his 'special operation' failed but felt pride in his players after Tottenham surrendered a two-goal lead to lose the Super Cup on penalties to Paris St Germain. Set-piece goals by Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero had Spurs halfway towards another trophy – only three months on from Frank's predecessor Ange Postecoglou clinching Europa League success in May. Champions League winners PSG, who only returned to pre-season last week following their Club World Cup exploits in July, fought back impressively – with substitute Kang-in Lee pulling one back with five minutes left before Goncalo Ramos grabbed an equaliser in the fourth-minute of stoppage-time. It was initially advantage Tottenham in the shoot-out when Vitinha missed PSG's first kick and Rodrigo Bentancur put the Premier League club two up, but it was followed by Van de Ven and Mathys Tel failing to score as Frank's competitive debut ended in a 4-3 shoot-out defeat after a 2-2 draw. The Danish coach paid tribute to his squad after he lined them up in a back-three formation to largely good effect, in a fixture where they constantly looked a threat at set-pieces. 'Very, very proud of the players, the team, the club, the fans,' Frank reflected. 'I think the players gave everything, playing against one of the best teams in the world, maybe the best at the moment and I think we were 75, 80 minutes perfect. Almost giving nothing away. 'I knew we had to do something a little bit different against PSG. It was a special operation. In medical terms, the operation succeeded but the patient died, so not that good in the end. 'But we worked on a gameplan that was a little bit different and very close to succeeding. 'It was a little bit of special operation because it clearly went in spells a little bit more direct, because we knew that we could hurt them there. Big, big focus on the set pieces, from all areas of the pitch, but we will have focus on set pieces no matter what.' Frank's game-plan had worked perfectly until the 85th minute – with Van de Ven's opener just reward for a disciplined and dynamic Tottenham first-half display. Romero's header from Pedro Porro's free kick three minutes after the break had Spurs fans in dreamland, which remained the case as they put bodies on the line to thwart PSG until a raft of substitutes by Luis Enrique helped tip the scales. New Tottenham boss Frank promised to swiftly lift morale before Saturday's Premier League opener at home to Burnley, adding: 'Every game matters. 'I think if you look on the face of the players and all of us, we are hugely disappointed and I have my rule for 24 hours. I can be disappointed for 24 hours. 'We want to compete in a lot of different tournaments and if you want to do that, you need to be ready to do a quick turnaround and go again. I'll make sure the players are ready and come flying out on Saturday.' Luis Enrique was honest in his assessment of PSG, who competed in the Club World Cup final exactly a month ago. 'To be honest, I'm not sure we deserved this trophy,' the Spanish coach admitted. 'The difference was stark between Tottenham. They've had six weeks of preparation and we've had six days. 'It was huge and we were trying to play our football and just couldn't for the first 80 minutes. We had a lot of poor passes and maybe we were lucky. Lady Luck was smiling on us.'
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
'A brutal call' - why Chevalier has replaced 'best in world'
Paris St-Germain head coach Luis Enrique made a "brutal call" in replacing Gianluigi Donnarumma with Lucas Chevalier as the European champions move away from an "older-style goalkeeper".Despite his heroics last season as the club won the Champions League, Italian Donnarumma was dropped for Wednesday's Super Cup meeting with Tottenham - and made available for transfer with one year left on his current signed from Lille earlier this week, has been handed the No1 spot and helped PSG overcome Tottenham on penalties following a dramatic 2-2 draw in Enrique said the decision was "100%" his as the PSG boss opted for a "different profile" of goalkeeper in the 23-year-old Donnarumma's saves were crucial in helping the French side to glory in May as they thrashed Inter Milan 5-0, he has often been criticised for his ability with the ball at his football journalist Julian Laurens said "without Gianluigi Donnarumma I don't think PSG win the Champions League".Yet he also understood why they went "with someone different" as he told BBC Radio 5 Live: "They have made a call, a brutal call. Lucas Chevalier is better on the ball, better in the air, better with distribution, but he doesn't have the experience. "All eyes were on him as he replaces probably the best goalkeeper in the world right now." Who is Chevalier & what does he offer? In making a decision that has surprised many in world football, Luis Enrique believes Chevalier will improve PSG even more, especially with his team's playing French keeper has been likened to a five-a-side player due to the quality of his touch, vision and ability to break lines with his passing from the back. Chevalier can effectively turn into an outfield player for PSG when in possession as they look to build an attack from their own defensive Donnarumma will be tough, but he stepped up successfully as Lille's first choice in the 2022-23 season after just a season in Ligue 2 with Valenciennes. Pressure should not be an issue. Chevalier was named Ligue 1's best goalkeeper last term with 11 clean sheets as his side finished fifth, while earning a call-up to France's senior England goalkeeper Paul Robinson told BBC Radio 5 Live: "The goalkeeper situation is a huge decision from Luis Enrique. Gianluigi Donnarumma is the best shot stopper and he is the best version of the older-style goalkeeper, but they have been replaced by the modern-day keeper who play in the defensive third."Luis Enrique is leaning into the way that modern teams want to play and build from the back. PSG are looking for that ninth degree, that tiny little bit of percentage of advantage and with Lucas Chevalier they feel they can further refine their style."Signs of what Chevalier will bring were seen during his debut against Spurs, with PSG opting to go short on goal-kicks and showing no fear when using him in general should have done better with Cristian Romero's header that put the Premier League side 2-0 ahead, but showed great reflexes in a stunning save to push Joao Palhinha's effort on to the bar, although Micky van de Ven netted the rebound for Spurs' then stopped Van de Ven's penalty in the shootout as PSG won after a superb comeback from 2-0 was a bold move by Luis Enrique to drop Donnarumma and turn to the Frenchman, but one that could prove a masterstroke in the future if Chevalier lives up to great expectations. Why is Donnarumma going? But why would a goalkeeper, favourite to be crowned the world's best this year, be frozen out like this?Luis Enrique has simply stated he wanted a "different profile" to what Donnarumma gave them. Before the Super Cup, the PSG boss clarified it was "100%" his decision to cut the Italian from his squad, with Donnarumma "disappointed and disheartened".The 26-year-old arrived from AC Milan on a free transfer in 2021 and enhanced his reputation in with football continuing to evolve, goalkeepers are not just shot stoppers and used as deep-lying playmakers to open up a new dimension of play. This is why Ederson has proved so valuable for Manchester City. Pep Guardiola's side have been linked with Donnarumma, but Laurens said he is "not a Pep Guardiola-type of keeper"."Manchester City are the only club in for Gianluigi Donnarumma at the moment," he added. "I'm amazed by it. But he is not good in the air and not great on the ball."
