Jack Grealish had a hand in 32 goals from his last 61 Premier League appearances at Aston Villa before joining Manchester City (1 goal every 1.9 games) in August 2021, but he’s contributed only seven goals from 29 league appearances with the Sky Blues (1 goal every 4.1 games) since and hasn’t turned in as many good performances.
Kevin Campbell believes he knows why the 27-year-old is struggling, citing the difference in treatment he gets as a City player. He said that Grealish wouldn’t be double-teamed by opponents as frequently at Villa, allowing him to get on the ball more and run at players. But because he’s being tightly marked at City, he’s having to move the ball on to his teammates instead.
Where will Manchester City finish in the Premier League this season?
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th or lower
Campbell told Football Insider: “A lot of people expect him to be the Jack Grealish at Aston Villa. Yes, you can say he’s not producing the great runs and all that at Man City, but they play a different game.
“The way they set up, you have to play intelligent football and recognise when you’re being double-teamed and you’ve got to shift that ball along and that’s what he’s doing. Pep Guardiola mentioned he’s doing fine.
“Obviously Jack Grealish would love to be the flying winger beating six players, but that’s not what is needed at Man City. What’s needed is you play your position, when the opportunity comes you either beat your man or pass it and be effective.”
It’s certainly the case that Grealish has a target on his head after joining City for £100m and being regarded as one of the best playmakers in the Premier League in 2021, but he’s also underperforming.
Five players in the City squad boast more goals this season, seven players have more assists, two players have created more chances and five players have a better pass completion ratio.
Grealish does top the charts for most successful dribbles and most fouls won, but he’s being outperformed by his teammates where it matters. This isn’t what Guardiola sanctioned £100m for.
In other news, a bizarre report from Spain claims Jack Grealish could join Arsenal or Tottenham
Can you name these Man City players from the 2000s? Test your knowledge, take the quiz and challenge your friends and family to beat your score