Jack Grealish has been told to curb his wild ways — by a man who knows a thing or two about being a hell-raising Premier League star.
Jermaine Pennant carved out a party-boy reputation during his days with Arsenal and Liverpool, one which seriously hampered his career. And he reckons Grealish and Manchester City team-mate Phil Foden could learn from his experiences.
Pennant said: “We see all the foreign superstars pictured on their holidays in fabulous villas, with their wives, in fancy restaurants, and with their personal trainers to make sure they are super-fit even in their times off. But don’t kid yourself, when the cameras are not on them, they are letting their hair down in their down time, in the privy of their own homes, with no photographers watching, no paparazzi snapping any indiscretions.
“When you are in the public eye you have to be clever.
“Of course, Jack and Phil think they are young lads, still in their early-20s, entitled to a night out in their summer break after a gruelling season of 10 to 11 months with City winning the title, they feel they are entitled to a blow-out.
“But they need to think about it, show a bit more class, be more aware what the public reaction is going to be, what the headlines in the press are going to do to their reputations, and reputation is so important.
“Reputation goes with you, so if during the season when it matters, and on their day off they are out after midnight, there will be the assumption they are off their heads on booze when they might only have been drinking mineral water.
“What they do in their time off, whilst you can’t condone some of the things, it isn’t wrong for them to let off steam, but what they do during the season is vital if they want to be in the elite. If they want to be in that top tier they need to be more professional.
“The problem is being labelled, as that intensifies, magnifies the issues even if they are not doing anything wrong, there will be some eye witness claiming they were drunk.
“The criteria is that they have to be in top shape during the season, but if they come back for pre-season a few stone over weight then that is plain stupid. If you get a reputation, then people and the media will believe anything about it.”
“So my advice is simple: don’t put yourself in the firing line, don’t end up the No.1 target, don’t get yourself a ‘name’.
“Have fun in your off-time, and you won’t get into trouble with your club, but it will be vastly different during the season. Then you must knuckle down or you won’t fulfil your potential in your career.”
Jermaine Pennant is taking part in the 360 Sports TV Masters Cup, including Celtic, Liverpool, Manchester United and Rangers, at Braehead Arena in Glasgow on Friday, July 8. The tournament will be live and exclusive on 360 Sports TV in the UK and Ireland from 7.30pm.
