Tomorrow, less singing. After a remarkable debut at Manchester City, Jack Grealish is experiencing a serious backlash. Silent for 8 matches, the attacking midfielder still retains the confidence of Pep Guardiola who “offered” the left lane of his attack, to the chagrin of Raheem Sterling for example. If he has always experienced finishing problems, as with the Three Lions for example, where he managed to unlock his counter after 16 selections, the 26-year-old must now increase his level of play if he wishes to keep his place of incumbent. Guardiola has already warned him because, in England, the hour of doubts has already started, as the Manchester derby looms this Saturday (to follow live commented on Foot Market from 1:30 p.m.).
His transfer to 117 M €, the biggest transfer in the history of Manchester City and for a British player, is stuck like a huge label on the back. At Aston Villa, Grealish was playing in a certain comfort. Child of the club and idol of the Villan community, he embodied the role of metronome in his team and made choices as he saw fit. The objective was above all to maintain a club more accustomed to the Championship than to the Premier League in recent seasons. Now he’s competing with the best players in the world, having to deal with the demands of a master tactician, and imposing on his body a frantic pace of one match every three days. He who had never played the European Cup before, here he is served since he has already played 20 matches in three months (15 with City, 5 with England for 16 starts).
2 goals and 3 assists in 15 games with City
“We talked about that, what he has to do when he’s not with us about eating, resting, sleeping, living 24 hours a day just for his job. He has been excellent so far. Apart from the last game against Burnley (Grealish remained on the bench), he played all games at a good level, defended Pep Guardiola two weeks ago. I am sure he will improve. I have to find his best position. When he’s focused on what we need to do in the game, on and off the pitch, he’s strong. Its weight and fat mass are perfect. I think his mentality is the right one. Hope we can help him. This is the first time he’s played every three days. It’s a different rhythm. We play 11 months every three days. It’s a good challenge for him. “
This statement sounds like a first warning. The demands of the high level are permanent. After an encouraging start, Grealish has a lot more trouble with Manchester City. His goals against Norwich in August and against Leizpig in September in the Champions League are a long way off now. A sign that is not mistaken, he has not completed a single match since September 18 and his only assist in two and a half months against Brighton two weeks ago appears to be very thin from a statistical point of view. Facing Bruges this week in the Champions League (4-1), the native of Birmingham was even replaced in the 68th minute, as against PSG from the rest where he had lived an ordeal. Last weekend, the man with the socks down already knew a day without facing Crystal Palace (2-0 defeat).
Guardiola on Grealish: “I’m sure he will improve”
His debauchery of energy is impeccable. It’s mostly a problem of deciding in key areas, finishing and maybe carrying the ball a little too much. He is even the second player in this field in the Premier League. “His positioning is always good and he plays very well if you look closely. With confidence and a little more time, he will be aggressive to make his own decisions, to score. But when he has the ball, everything he does makes sense. He creates spaces. Whenever he has the ball, João (Cancelo) and Rodri are alone and they can use it. “ Guardiola believes in his player, but he also has to deal with a few injuries like Ferran Torres, forcing Foden to evolve in the axis, and the poor form of Sterling.
Multiple causes that force the Catalan technician to keep Grealish on the left flank, he who loves to enjoy more freedom on the ground. He is also a provocative player, who likes to dribble and challenge his opponents where Guardiola’s teams often advocate the pass rather than the one-on-one duel. “I don’t think he necessarily fits in well with City …”, said Michael Owen to BT Sport this week. According to the Ballon d’Or 2001, the player with the calves of fire is not adapted to the style of the Citizens. “I’m a Grealish fan. He is brave, he asks for the ball under pressure. He is an exceptional player. He’s a great player and he will be successful because he’s on a great team now, but he might not be as good as he could be on another team. ”
A style unsuitable for Manchester City?
“I see Grealish as someone, certainly at Villa, who takes the ball deep, who is strong, who has confidence in him and who can run 40/50 yards and get a free kick after provoking. I don’t think City want fouls. When the team has one on its side, it puts the ball back into play and resumes. Grealish is fantastic, but he doesn’t fit City like a glove. He will score goals, yes, but he is not often the source of his team’s goals. “ There are positive signs but the first doubts, inherent in such a transfer, are still heard in England about the international (17 caps, 1 goal). Its place in the selection is also discussed regularly. The Manchester derby and the international break come at the right time for someone who definitely leaves no one indifferent.
