Jack Grealish has been praised for his “refreshingly honest” interview after Manchester City secured the Premier League title on Sunday…
This comes from former England number one goalkeeper Paul Robinson, who has predicts big things to come for the former Aston Villa once he fully settles at the Etihad.
The £100m man received criticism for the way he has acted following City clinching the league on Sunday against his former side, with journalist Roberto Rojas calling the Englishman “very unprofessional” on Twitter for taking a dig at Newcastle United midfielder Miguel Almiron.
However, Robinson has reacted positively to Grealish’s comments since he secured his first major trophy in club football, citing his post-match interview with Sky Sports as “refreshingly honest” as the 26-year-old admitted that he has felt “nervous” playing under Pep Guardiola at times this season.
The former shot-stopper also jumped to the ex-Villa playmaker’s performances on the pitch this season, telling Football Insider that the forward has had to adapt his game since his big-money move. He said:
“He has found it tough this season but it’s a different role for him.
“He has stepped out of his comfort zone into a dressing room full of stars with an expectation to win the Premier League. Man City are expected to win every competition they are in. Grealish hasn’t had that before.
“It is very different playing week in, week out for Villa being the main man. At City, he is not guaranteed a game.
“I think the experiences of this season will stand him in good stead for next year though.
“I expect we will see a big improvement next season. He will only get better.”
Our thoughts on Robinson’s comments…
Robinson is correct in what he is saying about Grealish needing to adapt. Playing for Manchester City and the sublime options they have in attack is always going to be different to playing for Aston Villa, especially considering the number of different competitions they partake in.
With the incoming arrivals of Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund and Julian Alvarez from River Plate, however, there are going to be even more options at Guardiola’s disposal, and could limit the £72m-rated England international’s game time even more.
That being said, there are almost certainly going to be outgoings at the Etihad Stadium this summer, with Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling both linked with a move away, so there will still be ample opportunities for £250k-per-week star to stake his claim to have a regular place in the starting XI, and he will likely be spurred on by an England World Cup place being up for grabs this winter.
And in other news, a pundit has given their thoughts on City boss Pep Guardiola…