Grealish’s Struggles at Manchester City: Has Guardiola Failed to Elevate His Game?
In the world of football, big price tags often come with big expectations. For Jack Grealish, his move to Manchester City in the summer of 2021 for a British record fee certainly raised the bar. However, according to former footballer and pundit Graeme Souness, Grealish has failed to live up to his price tag and hasn’t shown significant improvement under the guidance of Pep Guardiola.
Grealish’s time at Manchester City has been a mixed bag when it comes to individual form. The 28-year-old forward has undoubtedly tasted success, winning six trophies in two-and-a-half years, including two Premier League titles and the coveted Champions League. Last season, he played a crucial role in securing the treble of the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League. However, this season has been a different story for the former Aston Villa star.
With just three goals and two assists in 26 appearances, Grealish has struggled to make a significant impact on the pitch. His lackluster performances have raised concerns about his inclusion in the England squad for Euro 2024 next summer. In fact, Grealish’s injury during City’s recent Champions League victory over FC Copenhagen has only intensified doubts about his form and fitness.
Souness, known for his outspoken nature, has questioned whether Guardiola has truly been able to elevate Grealish’s game to the next level. In an interview with talkSPORT, Souness expressed his skepticism about the player’s progress under the renowned manager. “I can’t say I’m his biggest fan, no,” he admitted. When asked if Grealish has improved under Guardiola, Souness responded with a resounding “No.”
The former footballer also pointed out that Grealish’s statistics at City may even be worse than they were during his time at Aston Villa. Souness believes that Grealish has yet to become the game-changer his price tag suggests, emphasizing that the priority for such a player is to make a difference in big games by scoring and creating goals.
While Souness acknowledged that Grealish has shown some willingness to drop back and contribute defensively, he argued that this is not the primary reason why a player of Grealish’s caliber is brought into a team. The expectation is for him to excel in attacking roles and be the catalyst for his team’s success.
Despite his criticisms, Souness acknowledged that Grealish has been part of a very talented Manchester City squad that has achieved significant success. However, he believes that Grealish’s individual performances have not been as impressive as they should be considering the team’s overall quality.
As Grealish continues his journey at Manchester City, he will undoubtedly be eager to prove his doubters wrong and show that he is worth every penny of his record-breaking transfer fee. With Guardiola’s guidance, there is still hope that Grealish can fulfill his potential and become the game-changing force many expected him to be.
In the world of football, talent alone is not enough. It requires the right environment, coaching, and personal growth to reach new heights. Only time will tell if Grealish can overcome his struggles and truly shine under the tutelage of Pep Guardiola.