The adjustment from boyhood club Aston Villa to playing for the Premier League champions proved a sizeable one, as the talented left-sided attacking midfielder attempted to absorb Pep Guardiola’s philosophy and find his role in the team.
It wasn’t easy, just as becoming the most expensive footballer in British history carried with it its own pressure and expectations.
That was then, however, this is now.
It was evident from the very first game of the 2022/23 season that a summer break and time to reassess had come at the perfect time for Jack who looked refreshed and full of belief again.
While nobody doubted his talent, few could have imagined just how important he would become to this Manchester City team and how big a role he would play in the Blues’ quest for footballing immortality.
After a year of bedding in, Jack now knew his team-mates and the way they played - and vice versa.
He also understood what his manger wanted from him and what his role was.
Free of the mental shackles that had held back his progress in his first season, the real Jack Grealish emerged.
The first real difference that was noticeable, apart from confidence, was the freedom he was playing with.
Each time he collected the ball, it seemed his first instinct was to attack the full-back - and he did exactly that, time and time again throughout the season.
He made the left-wing berth pretty much his own and became an integral member of Guardiola’s starting XI.
The stats back up that importance, too – and how!
With Grealish in that starting eleven, City won 78% of the games played in all competitions – 39 wins from 50.
In the 11 games Jack didn’t feature, the Blues won just 46% - five out of 11.
And while his 11 assists is third only to Kevin De Bruyne (28) and Riyad Mahrez (13), he is very much a player involved in the transition just before the goal.
He created a superb 46 chances from open play for his team-mates in the league, bettered only by KDB’s 69.
His popularity was there from the beginning, but Jack has become something of a terrace idol over the past year.
His ability to win free-kicks in dangerous positions, hold the ball and buy time for his team is unmatched in the Premier League and the 126 fouls he drew in all competitions is the most of any Premier League player.
His average carry of 320 metres per 90 minutes is also the most of any Premier League player for 2022/23.
And he rarely gives away possession, with 88% of his passes finding their destination - more than any other winger in the English top flight.
These are not just excellent statistics, they are the best in class.
And Jack has also taken to playing Champions League football rather nicely, creating 35 chances in total, more than any other player in the competition – and the most since Dusan Tadic’s 37 in 2018/19 – and 20 of those were achieved under high pressure from an opponent.
His 272 ball carries was also the most in the competition.
It all adds up to a stunning campaign for the former Villa star who has grown in stature as a top world talent and had the season of his life.
Winning the Champions League was a boyhood dream come true, just as was winning the FA Cup and last season and this, he achieved his dream of becoming a Premier League champion.
An irrepressible character off the pitch where is adored by Club staff, the backroom staff and his team-mates, Jack plays football with a smile on his face, but never underestimate the hard work and professionalism that has gone into making him one of the country’s brightest talents.
He has more than earned the right to wear the No.10 jersey for the champions of Europe.
