Jack Grealish impressed in pre-season and would have hoped for a strong start to the new campaign, but he came under criticism for a poor performance in Manchester City’s Community Shield defeat to Liverpool.
The 26-year-old was hooked in the second half of Saturday’s loss and may be at risk of losing his place with Phil Foden waiting in the wing. Tony Cascarino warned Grealish that below-par showings could end his stay at the Etihad Stadium.
Where will Manchester City finish in the Premier League this season?
1st
2nd
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4th
5th or lower
City paid £100m for the England international last summer and he’s gone on to make 40 appearances in all competitions, scoring a paltry six goals with four assists. Grealish netted just three Premier League goals in his debut season, so he has a lot to prove to Pep Guardiola. Saturday’s performance was a bad sign, however.
Cascarino told talkSPORT: “At the end of the season, if he doesn’t pick up his standards, he’ll probably be loaned out or he might end up back at Villa. He’s not playing well enough consistently for Man City.
“I’m not talking about being OK, six out of tens. He should be eight or nine. He’s got so much quality. Jack has got an issue. You can’t be a £100m player and be OK, your standard is higher than that.
“City’s standard is higher than that and he has been six out of ten too often.” One criticism of Grealish in the Community Shield defeat was that he played it too safe in possession and didn’t take risks on the ball to turn the result around.
Grealish can’t be carried as City’s club-record signing. He should be the one getting his side out of trouble in games.
In other news, Man City embarrassed in pursuit of 24 y/o as Txiki won’t pay Cancelo/Mendy money