Jack Grealish hasn’t been at his best for Manchester City this season, resulting in a lot of criticism from pundits and journalists in the English media, but he’s responded with a bold message in L’Equipe.
The 27-year-old previously blasted Graeme Souness for his constant criticism in newspaper columns and on TV, but he’s issued his most explosive response to all the nay-sayers and doubters.
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Grealish said: “I often feel like I just do exactly the same things as the other players, but people talk about them because it is me doing them. That’s exactly what I said in relation to Souness – he always has something to say about me.
“He responded by saying I can’t take criticism. If footballers allow ourselves to respond to something, we are portrayed as people who cannot stand criticism. Sometimes I want to say to the (English media), leave me alone and focus on someone else, so that I can focus on my game.
“There is always this noise around me, generated by articles or other things. It is undoubtedly linked to my style of play and the fact that I play in one of the biggest clubs in the world. I imagine also that the fee Manchester City paid Aston Villa contributes to this attention also.”
Grealish joined City for a British club transfer record (£100m) last summer and has gone on to make 51 appearances in all competitions, scoring seven goals with four assists.
In his last season at Villa, the England international had a hand in 18 goals from 26 Premier League games but managed only six from 26 outings in his debut season at City. Grealish has scored one goal and doesn’t have an assist after 12 games across the board, so the criticism was inevitable.
Grealish has always insisted Guardiola was happy with his performances, but he’s been an unused substitute twice and has been made to come off the bench twice this season, so he’s clearly not indispensable.
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