Grealish fans have vented their frustration over their idol’s fall at Manchester City. Much of the blame is placed on Pep Guardiola and how the artist Grealish has been pushed into machine football devoid of creativity. A former Arsenal player thought football was poorer by forcing players like Grealish to remove themselves from their instincts on the pitch – and follow Guardiola’s instructions to the letter. Now it is reported that Grealish would get “his way out”, but meets in the first round closed door.
If there is one club Grealish is suited to, it is Barcelona under Hansi Flick. The German has the attacking machinery at its core, but unleashes Yamal, Lewandowski, Olmo, Raphinha or Gavi to use the extreme flair to choose the right solution through the defensive wall.
It was therefore with great optimism that Manchester City, with Grealish’s thumbs up, reportedly contacted Barcelona with an offer of Grealish’s signing. Various Spanish media reports Barcelona have turned down the offer.
With a few days left in the transfer window, it looks like Grealish will have to realise the next few months will mean more bench time for Guardiola. The City manager has Phil Foden, Savinho, Bernardo Silva and Jeremy Doku at the front of the line-up, and Omar Marmoush at the top has made the Englishman’s prospects even bleaker.
If Grealish continues on the bench, the La Liga giants will reportedly consider starting a hunt for the winger when the transfer window reopens in the summer. There is hope for Grealish, but the coming months could be leaden when you have to play for a manager who has blatantly lost confidence in you.
We would have loved to see Jack Grealish gush out in the Barcelona shirt, this game gives the 29-year-old the opportunity to be the box opener on the opponents’ defence that we saw in the Villa era.
Football needs a Jack Grealish in free dressage.
