20 February 2024 , 00:00
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Graeme Souness has taken another swipe at Jack Grealish and believes he hasn't improved under Pep Guardiola since his record-breaking move to Manchester City.
Grealish left Aston Villa to join City for £100million in August 2021 after scoring six goals and providing 12 assists in 26 matches in the previous Premier League campaign. The England international struggled for form in his debut season at the Etihad, though he still helped City to win the top-flight for the second straight year.
However, Grealish's form drastically improved in the 2022/23 season as he became a key cog in Guardiola's side. The 28-year-old made 50 appearances, scoring five times and providing 11 assists as City won the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup, with Grealish becoming virtually undroppable for the big matches.
Unfortunately for Grealish, he has found himself in and out of the team this season, with Jeremy Doku seemingly now first-choice on the left-hand side. And Souness has now questioned whether Grealish has even been that influential at City, admitting he hasn't got better under Guardiola.
"I can’t say I’m his biggest fan, no," Souness told talkSPORT.
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Quizzed on if Grealish has improved since moving to City, Souness replied: "No. I don't see any changes. In fact I think his stats may be worse at City than they were at Villa."
Souness was then asked if Grealish has taken on more responsibilities following his switch to Manchester, to which he said: "Maybe in the sense of dropping back, more enthusiasm to do the hard yards, the hard yards going back towards your goal. But you're not buying that type of player because he defends really well for you.
"The priority for someone like that when you spend £100million, he's going to be the difference in the big games. He’s going to be scoring lots of goals and creating lots of goals – none of that's happened. Yeah he’s won some big trophies but I’d argue he’s in a very, very good team."
(Paul Currie/REX/Shutterstock)This isn't the first time Souness has criticised Grealish. Most recently, ex-Liverpool midfielder Souness told Grealish back in December that he needs to have a "close look at himself" after losing his place to Doku.
"Ask 10 full-backs if they'd rather play against Doku or Grealish, and I think it would be Grealish every time," Souness told the Daily Mail at the time. "Defenders don't like pace and players who are direct. The way it is today, you dangle a leg and that’s a penalty. Grealish isn't showing any intent to get by defenders.
"He is, for me, at a crossroads in his City career. Doku is 21 years old and is only going to improve. Jack is 28. He needs to have a close look at himself. He should be in his pomp. Between 26 and 30 you have the knowledge, you’re physically and mentally stronger. He will not be getting any better. This should be his time.
"So, if I was him, I would be very concerned. I'd be sitting in front of the manager and asking him, 'How do you see it for me? I've won all these trophies with you but the new guy is the go-to player in my position'."
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