Jack Grealish says doing no exercise, eating 16 scoops of ice cream and recreating the film Home Alone 2 helped him get over England’s World Cup heartbreak.
The Manchester City winger flew to New York after a brief trip to Dubai for some sun following a 2-1 defeat to France in the quarter-final in Qatar.
He stayed with his girlfriend Sasha Attwood at the Plaza Hotel, doing the Home Alone 2: Lost in New York tour to recreate the 1992 sequel of the popular Christmas movie.
Speaking after returning to train with his national team at St George’s Park, Grealish revealed how living like eight-year-old Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) helped heal his wounds.
“I stayed in the (same) hotel! You could get some mad room service, like 16 scoops of ice cream! Like what he got in the film and I’ve got an addictive kind of personality,” the 27-year-old humorously began explaining.
“I love that film, man. Someone had told me about it (the tour), so we went around Central Park. I’ve watched it so many times. It’s on every Christmas isn’t it, so four or five times each year.
“I didn’t get to meet the mad pigeon woman, but I never realised how much stuff had been filmed there, in Central Park. I felt like a right little tourist.
“I was in the back of the carriage thing and every now and again someone would say ‘I swear that’s Jack Grealish’. I was saying: “Mate! Quick! Speed up!” I loved it. I love Christmas and that.
“My mum’s always made Christmas so special for me growing up, so I’ve always loved Christmas and I’ve always wanted to go to New York around Christmas time, but, obviously, because of football we’ve never been able to. It was like a little bucket list moment. I loved it.”
As ever, Grealish communicated confidently and honestly ahead of two important matches European Championship qualifier matches against Italy and Ukraine.
The winger is competing against his club teammate Phil Foden to start in both matches but is increasingly edging him out under Pep Guardiola after a spell of impressive form.
The break has clearly helped Grealish but, initially, his return didn’t go to plan: “I think the manager gave us eight or nine days off. I didn’t actually do a lot of running or anything because I just felt I needed a little break.
“Then I went back into training on the Wednesday and we were playing Liverpool on the Thursday in the [Carabao] Cup. I thought: “There’s no chance I’ll be involved.
“Then in the fucking 70th minute he (Guardiola) tells me: “Jack, you’re going on”. I was like: “F***ing hell!” because I was blowing out of my a***! Luckily we went on to win. I just didn’t think (I’d be involved).”
Guardiola throwing Grealish in at the deep end has ultimately worked as he has contributed with goals and assists against Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea.
He added that this is the best moment in his club career: “I was speaking to Rio Ferdinand and he asked me are you doing anything different? I’m actually not.
“I genuinely can’t put my finger on what it is. I feel I am in the best form, especially since I moved to City. I think it’s confidence, really. At the moment, I just feel a bit like I did when I was at Aston Villa.”
Having ticked the Home Alone tour off his bucket list, it is time to do the same with England at the upcoming 2024 European Championships in Germany.
“Definitely. That is what we all want to do. We have come close so many times. I feel like the next one really could be our one. Everyone will be in their prime.
“I actually feel old at the moment but when I think about it, I will only be 28 at the Euros. It’s no secret that we all want to win a tournament – and I do think it is there to be done.”
