Everyone seems to have an opinion about Jack Grealish. But the opinions differ. Many admire the kindness of children, looking at the people behind the players. Others see the joyous celebration and draw their own conclusions when the form disappears.
On the pitch, some see a brilliant talent who is still saddened that his unique qualities were overlooked by England this summer. Others have no sympathy, seeing him as a glorified water carrier and pointing out the shortcomings of the final product.
“I know I’m a professional,” Grealish said, but he faces challenges. City’s career could depend on it. Maybe Pep Guardiola’s opinion is the most important. But Grealish could still be the one to shape his future.
Passion still burns
Dean Smith, the former manager at Aston Villa, once called Grealish ‘the encyclopedia of football’ – a detail he remembers best because the player claimed not to know the meaning of the word when interviewed. It became a meme.
But beyond the mockery, there is a salient point. Grealish’s passion for the game and his knowledge is rare. Speaking to Stephen Clemence, another old coach at Villa, who worked with him one-to-one, he also highlighted this quality.
“He watches every game,” Clemence said Sky Sports. “You talk to him about players and he knows, whether it’s in this country or overseas.” Grealish publicly tipped Eden Hazard to become a world beater two years before taking Chelsea to the title.
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Impressive pre-season
The winger is likely to move to Manchester City due to his indifferent display for Villa, which has nothing to do with the game. “You can’t teach them to do what they do,” Clemence said. But always cover a strong desire to do this.
Next season will test that theory to the limit but early signs are positive. At the start of Manchester City’s pre-season tour, Pep Guardiola immediately spoke of his “unbelievable attitude” and seemed to detect a new desire to improve.
In the end, the praise of his performance level became even more shining. “Jack had some incredible games,” Guardiola said. “I really remember the Jack that I knew. The way he did it, in training and in his behavior, like two seasons ago.”
Ah, two seasons ago. Grealish’s role in City’s historic treble-winning season will certainly be remembered. He played in 50 games, an increase in his second season. He describes his happiest moments in football. “Play with confidence.”
Where did you go from? Grealish asked himself that question. “I’ve never been like that, where you feel so high,” he said. “Sometimes you think, ‘How are we going to get through this?’ Sometimes you sit there and think, ‘What should I do now?'”
Dip in performance
What he did was lose his place in Gareth Southgate’s City team and England squad. There is a decrease in performance, although it should not be added. Grealish still keeps the ball well and is fouled more often than any other Premier League player.
But it didn’t take much for Guardiola to detect a decline. The subsequent loss of status means that, for Grealish, the answer to that question should finally be clear. What are you doing now? Work to win his position for club and country.
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New opportunities in the City
Grealish is well aware that he has some competition for a place in Guardiola’s team this coming season, having benefited, albeit unexpectedly, from a tournament-free summer. A number of City players have missed a lot this pre-season.
That means Grealish is a player who will enter the Community Shield against Manchester United, a rerun of the FA Cup final where he was left on the bench. The shirt has to go and it has long been Guardiola’s mantra.
This is an opportunity, but it won’t last long. Despite the departure of Julian Alvarez, Grealish’s midfield area looks crowded. Oscar Bobb now looks ready, while the signing of Savinho is an immediate threat. And, of course, there’s also Jeremy Doku.
Doku Challenge
It was the signing of the Belgian winger last summer who stole space in the side, Guardiola was tempted by Doku’s ability to open up the defense with his dribbling. “Jeremy is special in the final third.” Grealish can’t compete with the speed of the left.
The statistics show that Doku is superior in terms of dribbling, but it should be noted that Grealish’s ability to carry the ball remains top notch. It’s not always necessary to shoot enemies directly if you have close control and can avoid them.
“The way he could get through other people was just fun every day,” Clemence recalled. “For natural ability, he’s the best I’ve seen in my coaching career. Even in the Championship, I’m surprised he’s not in the England squad.”
Adaptation to Guardiola
It’s a bit ironic that Guardiola wants Grealish to recapture some of that passion because some attribute the change in a player’s game – both positive and negative – to a good coach. He has been a different player to the one City bought.
“Jack always wants the ball, but sometimes he will come too far to get it,” Clemence said. “Sometimes you have to trust your friends to find you.” That version of Grealish is free roaming instead of being tied to that part of the pitch.
And have any high profile players changed their decisions on the pitch more drastically than Grealish? Brian Clough transformed Kenny Burns from striker to title-winning defender. Others have adapted the game due to age and loss of pace.
With Grealish, the starting position remains the same, the skills as well, but the movement and distribution have changed. A risk-taker in his youth, there is no safer user than the ball today, as evidenced by the stark contrast in Sonar through which.
Grealish has changed the type of passing he plays at Man City
Wanting to please, Grealish has listened, adapted. When Guardiola told him that he performed a function for the team, providing expert ball retention, he took it. “It’s just a shame that everyone in the world now just likes statistics,” he said.
However, it was Guardiola who mentioned the statistic after the last match against Barcelona. “I know when he controls the ball he’s good, but he makes four or five shots.” Even he wants to see aggression, the personality that persuaded City to pay £100m.
What’s next for Grealish?
As a result, this favorite kid is now at a crossroads in his career. At 28, with a good group of players around him, the opportunity remains. “It really depends on him,” Guardiola said. “All the players, it depends on them, not my decision.”
The door was open. Jack Grealish has yet to force his way back open.
