In a recent TV segment with beIN SPORTS (transcripted by The Daily Express), former Scotland international Andy Gray has urged Manchester City to sign Aston Villa playmaker Jack Grealish and scrap their plans to sign Lionel Messi from Barcelona. Gray said, “(There’s) absolutely no danger Jack Grealish could play at the highest level, I don’t think there’s a doubt about that in my opinion.
“I think the higher he goes the better he becomes because he’s playing with better players.
“People says he does too much on the ball at Villa, but he does that because he’s Villa’s most important player and he’s the one that makes things happen nine times out of ten, if he was at Man City, he wouldn’t be, so he’s surrounded by better players and I think he would have more of an impact.
“He’s got more of a future (than Messi), and if you gave me, and I mean this, and people are going to say ‘you’re an idiot’, I’m not.
“Right now if you give me Jack Grealish or Messi, I’m taking Grealish.”
Grealish’s Exceptional Form At Villa Park This Season
Grealish has established himself as one of Dean Smith’s most consistent performers at Villa Park over the past 18 months. He has performed well to score six goals and secure six assists in ten matches for the Villans this term on all fronts.
The England international has given a good account of himself in both halves as he is averaging 1.6 tackles, 2.9 shots, 2.9 key passes, 0.9 crosses and 3.2 dribbles per game in the Premier League this season. The 25-year-old has been tidy when distributing the ball in the opposition half as evidenced by his pass completion rate of 81.4% in the English first division (stats via whoscored).
What Are The Villans Captain’s Best Attributes?
Grealish has done incredibly well to score and create goals regularly for the West Midlands outfit this season. He is a deceptively quick playmaker who loves to make some energetic runs towards the opponent’s penalty area.
The Three Lions star has got the vision to pick out a few decisive passes in the attacking third. Grealish can even strike the ball with power and precision from long-range. Plus, he has got the leadership qualities required to be a valuable member of any top club in England.
Should Man City Launch A Move For Grealish This Winter?
Pep Guardiola has currently got Raheem Sterling, Ferran Torres and Phil Foden fighting for a place on the left-wing. Hence, he has no immediate need to recruit a new player for that position. Having said that, Grealish is versatile enough to play anywhere across the frontline, so he shouldn’t have too much trouble getting into Man City’s starting XI.
All in all, it makes sense for the Mancunian giants to listen to Andy Gray’s advice by launching a move for Grealish in January as he could help them compete for multiple trophies in the years to come. However, if Guardiola has the finances to fund a move for Messi this winter, then he would be better off doing so as he is clearly the better option for his side in the short-term.
