Grealish responds to Southgate's concerns and makes "desperate" admission

Jack Grealish has denied he was worried about finishing the season empty-handed - but admits he was desperate to win the Premier League.

England boss Gareth Southgate suggested Manchester City's £100million man was "anxious" to finish his first campaign under Pep Guardiola with a trophy. He achieved that by securing a top-flight title crown, but the 26-year-old contributed just three assists and three goals in an indifferent debut season with the champions.

Southgate also said Grealish would now be more relaxed and the Three Lions ace told Mirror Football: "I wouldn't say anxiety. That doesn't mean I'm disagreeing with what the manager said. Not anxiety, but I was desperate to win something.

"To win the Premier League, which was the main thing that I wanted to win, was a nice way to end the season." Grealish stole the show last week as City's star-studded squad celebrated their title just 24 hours after pipping Liverpool on a nail-biting final day.

The midfielder now has a second medal to add to his trophy cabinet after captaining boyhood club Aston Villa to Championship play-off final success three years ago. He added: "It was unbelievable to win the league. I wanted to win titles and get medals. Obviously I won the play-off final - I highly regard that. It's a great achievement.

"But then winning the Premier League; well, obviously, is winning the Premier League. It speaks for itself. It was an unbelievable day - and an unbelievable few days actually celebrating something that I've always wanted to do. It was something that I will never, ever forget.

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"It's obviously difficult to compare because one is the Championship and one is the Premier League. The first one I was captain and it was my boyhood club, so it was definitely one of the best days of my life. But then so was winning the Premier League as well. They were both two brilliant days."

Grealish, who was speaking as part of McDonalds' Fun Football programme, is clearly enjoying life. He is currently on England duty with England - and knows he needs to make the most of the position he is currently in.

He added: "Yeah of course. It sounds cringe but life is there to be enjoyed. You need to do what makes you happy. Winning stuff and everything is what you dream of doing as a footballer.

"When you have time off, why not enjoy it with your friends and family, which is the most important thing for me. Thats exactly what I am doing. Football is always the main priority but life is to be enjoyed. I will carry on doing that."

Grealish was speaking as part of McDonalds' Fun Football programme, which will deliver over 10.5 million hours of Fun Football over the course of the next four years making it the largest grassroots participation programme in the UK. The programme will be delivered in collaboration with the Irish FA, Scottish FA, The Football Association of Wales and a network of national coaching providers.

McDonald's Fun Football is offering one million kids access to FREE football over the next four years as part of the largest grassroots football programme in the UK. Start your kids football journey by visiting McDonalds.co.uk/Football