Jack Grealish

[CWMCFC]

I don't think the comparisons around Grealish's numbers in a mid-table Villa side compared to forwards in our team - arguably the strongest club in football, with the best attacking coach in the world - are really very relevant. Not least after he missed a major chunk of the season through injury when he was playing some of the best football of his career.

Put Sterling in Villa's team - especially in his current form - and I don't see him getting considerably higher numbers. And that's not factoring in that Grealish is far more flexible from a positional sense and has split his time between the wing and central midfield.

Plonk Grealish in a team of world class talent with Pep coaching him and I guarantee his output increases significantly to comparable numbers that our forwards/midfielders have put up this season.

Villa are decent, but they're never going to dominate games like we do and, as a result, Grealish won't get even close to the chances to convert or assist like he will in this City side.

I completely agree with the premise that his signing isn't really necessary without outgoings, but completely dismissing Grealish because of his output in a team levels below us overlooks quite significant context. His creative output (i.e chances created) is up there with the best in the world this season - give him Kane to get on the end of those chances and players like KDB, Gundo, Mahrez, Foden creating chances for him to score and I think we'll see him flourish.

 

[Coatigan]

Grealish is great in tight spaces, creative and a fighter, exactly what Pep looks for. He is also deceptively quick and strong.

I really don't see how people could have any objections. He would improve our squad.

No idea if he is coming or not but would be very happy if he were.

People often have objections, because there is a context, that can't be ignored. That context in this case is who makes way, and how much he costs.

It is just not true that that he would improve our squad. Not simplisticly. If we were a player short, and he came in, it would be true. We are not. So he replaces someone. Would he improve our squad if it meant replacing KdB? or Foden? No. Gabi Mahrez and others, potentially, not for me but open to debate. At whatbhe costs, and what alternatives that could get, would he improve our squad? Not for me if that level of money can be put to better use, particularly where improvement is needed, or will be needed soon.

 

[Alan Harper's Tash]

They're shit mate. Absolutely nothing special about them. 6 league goals and 10 league assists as their main man playing every minute when he's fit. A player that we would have to break our current club transfer record for. I just do not see why there's such a clamour to elevate him to world class levels and I absolutely don't see how he's anything other than 3rd/4th choice at City as a wide forward or as a number 8.

Of course these are just my opinions - maybe Grealish is the next KDB. But I've not seen anything to suggest anything of the sort yet. Foden is levels and levels above him.

16 goals out of 55 is just under 30% involvement.

 

[akrh215]

Numbers can be manipulated... Scouting will work on more than just goals, fact is you look at a players influence. Distance ran. Tackles, interceptions, sprints per game etc.

If we look at goals alone then kdb had a dogshit season this year, but in reality he didn't as his role in the side means he makes goal scoring contributions in the form of assists or the pass before an assist.

And let's not even talk about Bernardo Silva, shall we?

 

[mosssideblue]

Grealish is great in tight spaces, creative and a fighter, exactly what Pep looks for. He is also deceptively quick and strong.

I really don't see how people could have any objections. He would improve our squad.

No idea if he is coming or not but would be very happy if he were.

I think, might be wrong, that some are objecting not based on his ability, but who he might displace, irrespective of whether the squad is better

 

[Phil1]

I think, might be wrong, that some are objecting not based on his ability, but who he might displace, irrespective of whether the squad is better

That's the point though isn't it? Not everyone thinks the squad would be better if he came at the expense of certain players leaving?
It's pretty subjective either way. The clamour to sell sterling by some who believe we will be much better isn't based on any proper facts bar his form has been poor for a little while. There are no guarantees that Grealish coming in improves us and I think he's a cracking player.

 

[mosssideblue]

He really is not.

Too early to say re Torres, but based on what Sterling has served up this season, he really is

 

[mosssideblue]

That's the point though isn't it? Not everyone thinks the squad would be better if he came at the expense of certain players leaving?
It's pretty subjective either way. The clamour to sell sterling by some who believe we will be much better isn't based on any proper facts bar his form has been poor for a little while. There are no guarantees that Grealish coming in improves us and I think he's a cracking player.

There are no guarantees with any incoming player, but technically, I would say Sterling is far weaker than Grealish (IMO of course), so for me, I would have every expectation that we would be better.

 

[SWP's back]

I got the feeling Laporte’s head wasn’t there yesterday. Wonder if he’s off?

Given the fact Garcia is leaving then Laporte making way for Grealish to arrive doesn’t make any sense whatsoever.

 

[Coatigan]

I think, might be wrong, that some are objecting not based on his ability, but who he might displace, irrespective of whether the squad is better

I speak for myself. I'm not objecting to anything. I'm simply saying, I don't see the sense in signing him, with the squad we have. I don't see him as improving our squad whichever player he replaces, so I don't see the club signing him, unless, they know someone actually wants to leave and he then has a place. Whether he then improves the squad or not, really depends on who it is that is leaving. That's all. Wouldn't trade any of them for him though, as things are.

 

[Nails]

The numbers are excellent for Villa. But they're not for me within the context of our squad. We've got four guys who would get those numbers playing for Villa at least. I don't see anything that would make him stand out beyond Foden, Bernardo, Mahrez, KDB, Gundo et al. And he has no unique attributes that make me think that he's a missing piece in the squad. Talented player for sure, and if he was going on a free or he had a contractual issue I would almost see why City would be all over it. But at 75 million with the players we already have, I can only see it if we think we're about to lose someone.

Well, he wasn't playing for us. And Foden, Mahrez etc weren't playing for Villa, so this kind of debate is moot. His USP? His blend of strength and technical ability. He's a unit, but a very accomplished one.

 

[Gabriel]

I speak for myself. I'm not objecting to anything. I'm simply saying, I don't see the sense in signing him, with the squad we have. I don't see him as inproving our squad whichever player he replaces, so I don't see the club signing him, unless, they know someone actually wants to leave and he then has a place. Whether he then improves the squad or not, really depends on who it is that is leaving. That's all. Wouldn't trade any of them for him though, as things are.

I can see us signing him but just can’t see us signing Kane or Haaland this summer. As I’ve said, Grealish would be a purchase now whose real merit would come in 22/23. Nobody need leave.
Save for Torres and Ake, they’ve all been over the course before and know and have experienced the need for rotation. They also know that the door is open if they are unhappy.

 

[dave_blue12]

People often have objections, because there is a context, that can't be ignored. That context in this case is who makes way, and how much he costs.

It is just not true that that he would improve our squad. Not simplisticly. If we were a player short, and he came in, it would be true. We are not. So he replaces someone. Would he improve our squad if it meant replacing KdB? or Foden? No. Gabi Mahrez and others, potentially, not for me but open to debate. At whatbhe costs, and what alternatives that could get, would he improve our squad? Not for me if that level of money can be put to better use, particularly where improvement is needed, or will be needed soon.

We seem to be agreed he's a fine player.

I think there is room in the squad. We play a huge amount of games and an extra quality player who could play a variety of roles would surely be welcomed.

Personally I think he could well become one of our standout players.

 

[Coatigan]

I can see us signing him but just can’t see us signing Kane or Haaland this summer. As I’ve said, Grealish would be a purchase now whose real merit would come in 22/23. Nobody need leave.
Save for Torres and Ake, they’ve all been over the course before and know and have experienced the need for rotation. They also know that the door is open if they are unhappy.

Interesting.

Doubt it myself, but I get what you mean.

I think we'll go all in for a striker. Whether thats Kane or Haaland. But if we don't, Pep's already set the tone with 'at these prices we might not sign a striker at all' and 'Sergio can not be replaced'.

 

[FantasyIreland]

I speak for myself. I'm not objecting to anything. I'm simply saying, I don't see the sense in signing him, with the squad we have. I don't see him as improving our squad whichever player he replaces, so I don't see the club signing him, unless, they know someone actually wants to leave and he then has a place. Whether he then improves the squad or not, really depends on who it is that is leaving. That's all. Wouldn't trade any of them for him though, as things are.

He does bring something different.He has a unique blend of balance,strength,acceleration and technical ability that our current players only have in part.
His ability to hold the ball in tight space and/or take pressure off our defence/midfield while bringing others into play is also something we currently need to improve on.
He rarely loses possession and he rarely chooses the wrong ball,add that to his dead ball and set piece brilliance,and he makes for the perfect addition for our team.

The fact he pushes someone down the pecking order bothers me not one bit,as he improves our first 11....and progression is what keeps us Champions..

 

[Damanino]

He would take playing time away from someone surely. Who would that be?

Sterling already imo getting frustrated with his rotation. Foden should not play less clearly.

Bernardo/Gundo?

Torres is hoping for more playing time next season not less.

Is Grealish happy to sit on bench and be a bit part players for us for a possibly club record transfer fee?

 

[blue ranger]

Forgetting the stats I like to go off what I see. And the last time I saw Grealish playing at the Etihad for Villa I thought he was brilliant and would look great in our team. Maybe Pep
going to play Foden as an 8.

 

[Alan Harper's Tash]

Given the fact Garcia is leaving then Laporte making way for Grealish to arrive doesn’t make any sense whatsoever.

Agreed, but I just got the feeling his heart wasn’t in yesterday’s celebrations. Maybe it’s just because he hasn’t felt as big a part as the other title wins.

Pep would have to trust Harwood-Bellis for Grealish to take his squad space.

 

[waspish]

We looking to buy Grealish must mean someone wants out that’s the only conclusion to us after him..

 

[Craig]

He would take playing time away from someone surely. Who would that be?

Sterling already imo getting frustrated with his rotation. Foden should not play less clearly.

Bernardo/Gundo?

Torres is hoping for more playing time next season not less.

Is Grealish happy to sit on bench and be a bit part players for us for a possibly club record transfer fee?

Be a shame if Raz left and Foden then got to play centrally at times as well as on the left. Grealish would fit fantastically into this team with his technical ability.