Jack Grealish had a difficult debut season at Manchester City, scoring just six goals with four assists in 39 games, and Noel Whelan believes he’s struggling to adapt under Pep Guardiola.
The 26-year-old recently played for England in Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with Germany and admitted in a post-match interview that he had more freedom with the Three Lions than he does at City.
He said: “I feel at times I’ve played a bit safe at City. And when I come on the pitch (for England), I do feel I play with a lot more freedom. Hopefully I can transfer that into my club football and keep on improving.”
Grealish has scored one goal with six assists from 22 games for England, so he’s not been too prolific internationally. But the 26-year-old is given more positional freedom to express himself and that leads to better performances.
At City, he’s shirking the responsibility in favour of retaining possession and Whelan believes it’s down to being ‘scared’. He told Football Insider: “I think he’s a little bit more wary and scared of losing possession which is what Man City are all about.
“Grealish has come from Aston Villa where his freedom was given every game. He was told to go out there and be as free as you like in those attacking thirds. Take people on, if you lose the ball, I’d rather you lose it there.”
The England international set City back £100m last summer and has scored only three goals with three assists from 26 Premier League games at City, so his move to Manchester has left a lot to be desired.
But with 10 players making more assists than Grealish, nine players scoring more goals, two players creating more chances and four players having more successful dribbles, it’s clear his teammates figured out how to successful play under Guardiola.
In other news, Trevor Sinclair says Raheem Sterling could re-join Liverpool despite ‘fan animosity’
Grealish.Aki. Sterling.All have no freedom. It i nothing to do with thst.Its when to use it..They all have the freedom to go. But not at a cut price. Not a one of them have a rite to play evert game, Its only a small squad and there is allways someone better in the team.
The problem is that Guardiola doesn’t agree with your assessment. He has said many times that he is perfectly happy with how Grealish has performed. When questioned by the media he explained that Grealish wasn’t bought to get goals. He was bought for his other qualities. So quoting goals and assists is meaningless. He’s even reprimanded Grealish for taking notice of them. He praises Grealish for his control, for his passing and possession and for creating chances. Even in the Italy game he created more chances than anyone else. Something that Southgate doesn’t seem to rate as highly as Guardiola.