26 April 2023 , 08:00
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Jack Grealish is enjoying a season to remember with Manchester City... and the man behind his iconic look knows exactly why.
The 27-year-old joined Pep Guardiola's side from Aston Villa in a £100million deal 20 months ago to become Britain's most expensive British footballer. Much was expected of Grealish due to his transfer fee, but he struggled during his first season at the Etihad.
Yet Grealish has put that tricky maiden campaign firmly behind him. He's become one of Guardiola's most important players, starting their last 12 Premier League games. But how has Grealish turned his fortunes around? Ahmed AlsanawI, the barber responsible for keeping the Englishman's trademark haircut fresh, have provided the inside track.
Ahmed, better known as A-Star, is the man responsible for keeping many footballers fresh - including Eden Hazard, Phil Foden and Reece James.
When asked by Mirror Football if Grealish's form has anything to do with his superb trim, Ahmed - who has announced the release of FINI by A-Star, a brand new haircare range - laughed: "It's definitely his hair!"
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Ahmed added: "I see a lot of footballers on a weekly basis. I see them go through bad spells and good spells, and honestly, they don't change anything. Nothing changes. There's not like a spell or whatever. Sometimes it just clicks. Confidence obviously plays a big part.
The England international is now flourishing at the Etihad (Getty Images)
Grealish's barber A-Star isn't surprised by his impressive form (A-Star)What's your view on Jack Grealish's revival? Let us know in the comments below!
"Regarding Jack, I believe he just needed time to adapt. It's not easy playing in a City team with Pep and wanting you to play how he wants you to play. Seeing him now, he's just at a different level at the moment. He's just killing it."
Grealish won the Premier League title during his first season at the Etihad but struggled to play a talismanic role. He scored six goals and provided four assists 39 appearances, with the likes of Phil Foden, Riyad Mahrez and Bernardo Silva often preferred on the wing.
With so many attacking talents at Guardiola’s disposal, it was never going to be easy for Grealish to nail down a spot. Yet he’s achieved that this season. Grealish has scored five goals and provided 10 assists, with Guardiola now viewing him as a vital player.
FINI by A-Star is out now!Grealish will go down as a City legend if they go on to become just the second team in history to complete a Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup treble. They are second in the Premier League - five points behind Arsenal with two games in hand - and have reached the semi-finals of the Champions League and the final of the FA Cup.
It marks a great turnaround for Grealish, who was warned he missed the chance to "change everything" by Rio Ferdinand after his late miss against Real Madrid in last year's Champions League semi-final. Real went on to win the tie and the tournament.
"That [if it goes in] changes everything for Jack Grealish in a Manchester City shirt," Ferdinand told BT Sport after that game. "Whether you think he's been good or bad or average, that would've changed everything."
Grealish will get the chance to avenge that defeat when City play Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-finals again this season. Guardiola’s side are the favourites for the tie, with the winner taking on either AC Milan or Inter Milan in June's final.
FINI by A-Star is a brand new haircare range from A-Star Barber. For more information, visit www.finibyastar.com or @finibyastar on Instagram.
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