10 | Jack Grealish - 2021/22 Performances

[youngbob]

I'd be more worried about his contributions but we've seen this before, especially with midfielders and attackers we've signed under Pep. They come in with big reputations but don't quite work at first. It took a season for Pep and Leroy to work each other out, it took 12 months for Pep to realise Bernardo was best down the middle. Mahrez, Rodri, Cancelo - they all took about a season to adjust, then something clicked.

Heck, it took three years for some City fans to stop demanding Gundogan's sale. The one attacker we've signed under Pep that started brilliantly was Nolito, and boy did he burn out fast!

Just more on this. After 16 league games in their first season at City (just league games):

Leroy Sane - 8 apps (3 starts), 0 goals, 1 assist
Nolito - 13 apps (8 starts), 4 goals, 2 assists
Bernardo Silva - 14 apps (3 starts), 1 goal, 1 assist
Riyad Mahrez - 15 apps (8 starts), 5 goals, 2 assists
Jack Grealish - 12 apps (11 starts), 1 goal, 2 assists

So, as far as new attacking midfielders go in their first 4/5 months under Pep, he's performing at just about below average expectations. He definitely needs to perform better than he has been doing, but it doesn't look like panic stations to me either. He's adjusting and learning. If things don't pick up over the next year then it'll become a worry, but for now he's doing okay while learning on the job.

(Also worth noting that Mahrez and Bernardo scored their first goals for City after coming off the bench and notching a couple against teams who were already well beaten. The 4th and 5th goals against Cardiff, the 5th goal against Burnley, the 7th goal against Stoke, etc. And they also played in City teams who had strikers, created more chances, and scored more goals in general.)

 

[Shaelumstash]

Just more on this. After 16 league games in their first season at City (just league games):

Leroy Sane - 8 apps (3 starts), 0 goals, 1 assist
Nolito - 13 apps (8 starts), 4 goals, 2 assists
Bernardo Silva - 14 apps (3 starts), 1 goal, 1 assist
Riyad Mahrez - 15 apps (8 starts), 5 goals, 2 assists
Jack Grealish - 12 apps (11 starts), 1 goal, 2 assists

So, as far as new attacking midfielders go in their first 4/5 months under Pep, he's performing at just about below average expectations. He definitely needs to perform better than he has been doing, but it doesn't look like panic stations to me either. He's adjusting and learning. If things don't pick up over the next year then it'll become a worry, but for now he's doing okay while learning on the job.

(Also worth noting that Mahrez and Bernardo scored their first goals for City after coming off the bench and notching a couple against teams who were already well beaten. The 4th and 5th goals against Cardiff, the 5th goal against Burnley, the 7th goal against Stoke, etc. And they also played in City teams who had strikers, created more chances, and scored more goals in general.)

Why on earth would goals and assists be the only thing you judge a footballer’s performance by? It’s not basketball.

 

[youngbob]

Why on earth would goals and assists be the only thing you judge a footballer’s performance by? It’s not basketball.

It's not the only thing, it's just a rough guide to how much they're contributing. I mean, I'm generally pro-Grealish thus far, so if you want bring things like "key passes" into the equation then I'd be happy to, because Grealish is outperforming every other City player in that area:

Key Passes - Premier League 2021/2022

Most Key Passes in Premier League 2021/2022. View the list of top Key Passes and other players stats.

www.kickest.it

 

[Txiki Txiki Bang Bang]

Why on earth would goals and assists be the only thing you judge a footballer’s performance by? It’s not basketball.

Good lord! Are we about to rewrite that which makes a midfielder a midfielder? is that what we are really doing now? Are we about to rewrite the relevance of goals and assists in football just to accommodate Grealish? would we be this lenient if he played for the rags or if that was Sancho's stats? This Grealish "fever" has totally gotten out of control! For a player who has contributed absolutely nothing I don't see why everyone's willing to turn a blind eye to his abysmal performances! Palmer has been a better player and has contributed far more than Grealish. Let that sink in!

 

[Radiohead1981]

It's not the only thing, it's just a rough guide to how much they're contributing. I mean, I'm generally pro-Grealish thus far, so if you want bring things like "key passes" into the equation then I'd be happy to, because Grealish is outperforming every other City player in that area:

Key Passes - Premier League 2021/2022

Most Key Passes in Premier League 2021/2022. View the list of top Key Passes and other players stats.

www.kickest.it

City did pay 100 million for grealish for key passes.

So far grealish hasn't done Jack.

 

[kye1991]

Just more on this. After 16 league games in their first season at City (just league games):

Leroy Sane - 8 apps (3 starts), 0 goals, 1 assist
Nolito - 13 apps (8 starts), 4 goals, 2 assists
Bernardo Silva - 14 apps (3 starts), 1 goal, 1 assist
Riyad Mahrez - 15 apps (8 starts), 5 goals, 2 assists
Jack Grealish - 12 apps (11 starts), 1 goal, 2 assists

So, as far as new attacking midfielders go in their first 4/5 months under Pep, he's performing at just about below average expectations. He definitely needs to perform better than he has been doing, but it doesn't look like panic stations to me either. He's adjusting and learning. If things don't pick up over the next year then it'll become a worry, but for now he's doing okay while learning on the job.

(Also worth noting that Mahrez and Bernardo scored their first goals for City after coming off the bench and notching a couple against teams who were already well beaten. The 4th and 5th goals against Cardiff, the 5th goal against Burnley, the 7th goal against Stoke, etc. And they also played in City teams who had strikers, created more chances, and scored more goals in general.)

Sane , nolito and Bernardo Silva all moved to a foreign country and had 0 premier League experience. The only one in a similar position to him is Mahrez who outperformed him with less starts. Jack's goal bounced off him without him knowing too it's a joke

 

[WestGorton]

Sane , nolito and Bernardo Silva all moved to a foreign country and had 0 premier League experience. The only one in a similar position to him is Mahrez who outperformed him

He moved from Birmingham which more foreign.

 

[youngbob]

Sane , nolito and Bernardo Silva all moved to a foreign country and had 0 premier League experience. The only one in a similar position to him is Mahrez who outperformed him with less starts.

And yet people still call him "FFS", so has he ever really kicked on in some peoples' eyes?

 

[kye1991]

And yet people still call him "FFS", so has he ever really kicked on in some peoples' eyes?

Looked fine in helping us reach our first champs league final. And if he hasn't kicked on does that mean that grealish is going to or he's doing fine? I don't get the point of that mate.

 

[youngbob]

Looked fine in helping us reach our first champs league final. And if he hasn't kicked on does that mean that grealish is going to or he's doing fine? I don't get the point of that mate.

I'd argue Mahrez has been an excellent signing overall. Scores lots of goals (better goalrate than he had for Leicester), some of them really important, and he's slotted into our system very well. He has the occasional off day but that's the risk you take for his strengths. And yet, quite a lot of people still have a massive problem with him and don't think he's worth it. He's done well in an understated way, not exactly kicking any doors in, so there will always be people who miss his value and spot his flaws. My point is, over time, Grealish will slot into our system like Mahrez has and look far more comfortable, but unless he kits De Bruyne/Bernardo levels, there will always be people who won't rate him. Does that mean he won't have been a good signing?