In a recent interview with Optus Sport, Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has urged Aston Villa playmaker Jack Grealish to join Manchester City among other top clubs so that he can become one of the best players in the Premier League someday. When quizzed about whether Grealish is a contender for the PFA Player of the Year award, Scholes said, “Don’t get me wrong, I love the player, but if he was doing this at Man United, Liverpool, City, one of the top clubs, then he’d be up there, he’d possibly be top three.
“There is no pressure on Villa. If he is at a top club then he needs to win every week.”
Grealish’s Marvelous Season At Villa Park Thus Far
The Birmingham-born sensation is having another fruitful season for the West Midlands club as he has managed to put in a string of influential displays on the left side of Dean Smith’s attack. The 25-year-old has made 23 appearances for the Villans this term, netting seven goals and picking up 12 assists in various competitions.
Grealish has been a consistent performer for his boyhood club after averaging 2.1 shots, 3.4 key passes and 2.8 dribbles per game in the Premier League. He has even been excellent when linking up play with others around him in the opponent’s half, as evidenced by his pass success rate of 83.2% in the top tier of English football (stats via whoscored).
What Are The England International’s Biggest Strengths?
Grealish loves to go on driving runs with the ball from the left-wing as he has excellent close control and dribbling ability to get the better of his marker in the opposition half. He has got the vision to set up plays for his teammates around him and can strike the ball with power and precision from long range.
The three-time England international hardly gives away the ball and has a low centre of gravity that allows him to make clever turns in and around the opponent’s penalty area to earn a few free-kicks and penalties for his side. Grealish is also a natural leader on the field and can inspire his teammates to collectively perform at a high level.
Should Man City Get Grealish On Board?
A goal-scoring and creative player like Grealish will be a welcome addition to Pep Guardiola’s squad that already has Phil Foden and Raheem Sterling excelling as the left-sided wide players. The Villa captain will add more goals and assists to Man City’s midfield department that could propel them to do well in the UEFA Champions League in the coming seasons. Hence, it makes sense for Guardiola to orchestrate a move to bring Grealish to the north-west of England during the summer transfer window.
