Norwich City head coach Dean Smith has revealed that Jack Grealish has so far struggled to make a name for himself at Manchester City because of a lack of consistency.
Smith, who oversaw Grealish's rise to fame at Aston Villa, has made the admission ahead of City locking horns with Norwich at Carrow Road on Saturday evening.
Grealish, who won promotion to the Premier League at Villa under Smith in 2018/19, joined City in a record-breaking £100million deal from the Midlands club last summer, making him the most expensive signing in Premier League history.
Despite the hefty-sized price tag, Grealish has so far struggled to live up to expectations at the Etihad Stadium, scoring just three goals and claiming three assists in 25 appearances in all competitions.
Although Grealish is still adjusting to City's style of play and manager Pep Guardiola's methods, Smith, who remains in regular contact with the England international, has admitted that former Villa ace has put his struggles down to not being able to source enough levels of consistency.
"He has shown moments at Manchester City," Smith said, as quoted by the Express.
"I still speak to Jack quite regularly and he wants to find more consistency, but he is playing among a glitter of star players there and he is one himself.
"It was wonderful working with him - he's the best player I've worked with.
"I had been at Aston Villa about six months and said in the press he was one of the best I had worked with.
"He saw that and came to see me the following morning wanting to know who the other players were that were as good as him.
"It wasn't him being big-headed, he just had that hunger and desire to be the best and to get better."
On the challenge of facing City, Smith added: "I am not going to anger Pep again by suggesting they are the best team in the world, but they are certainly up there.
"They are a very good team, littered with stars all over the place and, whatever team they put out, you know it is going to be a challenge.
"But there is an opportunity for players as well – all players want to pit themselves against the best.
"Hopefully you can then go and get the right performance, then have a bit of fortune go our way as well."
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