Manchester City’s new £100m man Jack Grealish reveals John Terry helped convince him to LEAVE Aston Villa after telling him ‘there is nothing better than Champions League football’
- Terry worked alongside Grealish as a player and then assistant manager at Villa
- Chelsea legend Terry won the Champions League in the 2011-2012 campaign
- And the Blues icon emphasised the prestige of European football to Grealish
Jack Grealish has revealed a conversation with John Terry helped convince him to leave Aston Villa and join Manchester City.
The attacking midfielder, 25, became the most expensive English player of all time when he moved from hometown club Villa to the Premier League champions for a whopping £100million transfer fee on August 5.
And as reported by the Sun, Grealish took heed of Terry’s words when the Chelsea and England legend emphasised the prestige of playing European football to him.
Jack Grealish (second left) has revealed the role of John Terry (left) in his move to Man City
Former Aston Villa attacking midfielder Grealish moved to City for £100million on August 5
He said: ‘I remember speaking to John Terry at Villa and he said when you stand there and hear that Champions League anthem there is nothing better.
‘It has been difficult watching (Champions League) games. I remember watching City v PSG last year and the first half was amazing. To be involved would be a dream come true.
When you see a club paying that much for a player it means they trust and value you highly and see so much potential. Now I just hope I can repay this football club by winning as many titles as possible — and winning that trophy we all want.
‘The club were so close to winning it last year, they were one goal away. That is exactly why I have come here. I look around the changing room and there is so much talent and depth and I fully believe we can win it this year.’
The 25-year-old opened up on Terry’s advice about the prestige of Champions League football
Terry won the Champions League in 2011-2012 as the Blues beat Bayern Munich in the final
Terry won the Champions League with Chelsea in 2011-12, four years after missing a crucial penalty in a final defeat to Manchester United on penalties.
He moved to the Midlands outfit in 2017 and spent one season at the club as a player, captaining them to defeat in the play-off final, before becoming assistant manager at the club, working alongside Grealish in both roles.
However, Terry left Dean Smith’s side last month to focus on his own managerial career.
Grealish, who made his City debut as a substitute in Saturday’s 1-0 Community Shield final loss against Leicester, and City will kick off their domestic campaign against Tottenham on Sunday August 15 looking to defend their title.