ANDY DUNN COLUMN: The attacking midfielder has a big decision to make over whether or not to leave his boyhood club Aston Villa to join Pep Guardiola’s City
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Would Man City switch benefit Grealish?
During England’s long Euro 2020 campaign, Gareth Southgate and Jack Grealish were at pains to point out how wonderful their relationship is.
Gareth is a great boss, says Jack. Jack is a great player, says Gareth.
But while it would be totally unreasonable to doubt the sincerity of their mutual admiration, it seems clear Grealish still has some work to do when it comes to convincing Southgate he should be central to future plans.
Despite the player insisting he was in tip-top condition, there appeared to be some fitness issues but, even so, Grealish’s one start and three hours of football did not tally with his pre-tournament billing.
Some believe Gareth Southgate is still not fully convinced by Jack Grealish
Then again, that billing was given by us and the fans, not by the manager.
Rightly, Southgate does not base his team on public popularity.
Grealish still has work to do if he is to nail down a regular England starting place.
And he has not got as much time as some.
Grealish gets bracketed with England’s young talent but while he is not exactly a veteran, he turns 26 in six weeks’ time.
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And at the age of 26, he will not have played European club football.
Southgate has shown that is no barrier to selection. Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips have become almost automatic choices and both are in the same European club boat as Grealish.
The England manager, only partly through necessity, has no bias towards players from the so-called Big Six.
Yet it is hard to see how a move to Manchester City would not enhance Grealish’s international profile.
Grealish has been at Villa since he was six years old
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Image:
Getty Images)
First things first, if Grealish stays at his beloved Aston Villa, signs a new deal and sets about inspiring them to a challenge for Champions League football, then great.
And it is not beyond the realms of possibility. He loves the club and the owners are ambitious and not afraid to invest.
Redoubling his commitment to his boyhood club would be a heart-warning story.
But as he begins the second half of his career, a switch to City – if, indeed, Pep Guardiola and the two key boardroom men really are set on him – would surely be too beneficial for Grealish to resist.
Financially, you suspect Aston Villa might actually be willing to match the sort of salary City can offer.
But the advantage of a move to City is obvious. You will be in contention to win every competition in which the team takes part.
Having said that, you will also go from being the marquee player to a daily need to prove yourself.
For example, Aymeric Laporte was, not long ago, the club’s outstanding centre-half but, last season, found himself behind Ruben Dias and John Stones in the pecking order.
The lure of playing under Pep Guardiola may be too tempting for Grealish to resist
Even if City do offload the odd player, there will still be a wealth of attacking midfield options for Guardiola.
And just because you are wanted by City does not mean you will make it there.
But just imagine if Grealish joins and then proves himself to Pep.
Proves he can put in the hard yards Guardiola demands, proves he can be tactically disciplined, proves he can be a go-to performer in the biggest matches.
Even Southgate would find it hard not to be impressed.
Even Southgate might build his World Cup team around this wonderful talent.
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