Grealish To City? | City bid £100M

Status
Not open for further replies.

bosnian_red

Worst scout to ever exist
Joined
Aug 13, 2011
Messages
57,917
Location
Canada
Let's come back to this after the season ends. (God forbid he goes to city - he's going to be unplayable with the amount of ball and space they have)
Feel free. Any reason why Grealish didn't shine until he hit 26 while Sancho has dominated a big league since 18? Any reason why despite being 5 years younger he's done far more in every single season they've played? Grealish is an excellent player, but he's not ahead of Sancho with his current level or potential. That's a completely baseless statement to make, because literally all the evidence and stats points towards Sancho.
 

passing-wind

Full Member
Joined
Oct 20, 2013
Messages
3,041
Feel free. Any reason why Grealish didn't shine until he hit 26 while Sancho has dominated a big league since 18? Any reason why despite being 5 years younger he's done far more in every single season they've played? Grealish is an excellent player, but he's not ahead of Sancho with his current level or potential. That's a completely baseless statement to make, because literally all the evidence and stats points towards Sancho.
My biggest issue is Grealish is simply hyped up by the pundits / fans. He's a good player but objectively he hasn't achieved anything. He's not a generational talent, it's yet to be seen if he has the capabilities to shine at a bigger club with increased pressure and expectation. He's for me in the mould of Zaha, it's not so much what he does for Villa that will define his influence but his next club.
 

bosnian_red

Worst scout to ever exist
Joined
Aug 13, 2011
Messages
57,917
Location
Canada
My biggest issue is Grealish is simply hyped up by the pundits / fans. He's a good player but objectively he hasn't achieved anything. He's not a generational talent, it's yet to be seen if he has the capabilities to shine at a bigger club with increased pressure and expectation. He's for me in the mould of Zaha, it's not so much what he does for Villa that will define his influence but his next club.
Yeah. For his age he really hasn't achieved a lot. He didn't stand out much in the championship like someone like even Buendia did for example. His first season in the prem was decent but not much more. He had an excellent first half of the season but then got injured for much of the 2nd half.

He's a creative player with excellent close control and wins loads of fouls, sure, but he's literally not all that different to Isco (only with a really bad haircut). Isco was fantastic for a couple of seasons sure, but he's not some generational talent - neither is grealish. A very good talent but not an elite one like Sancho has shown since 18.
 

Adisa

likes to take afvanadva wothowi doubt
Joined
Nov 28, 2014
Messages
50,362
Location
Birmingham
He's superb. Keep in mind that he he does what he does in a Villa shirt. Some people never factor that into their arguments. Players have completely different level playing fields. It's not as if he's surrounded by insane talent when he plays the way he does! Pulling Villa into that kind of position until he picked up the injury was nothing short of magnificent.

How will he look when he's not the man in the team at City? Well, he'll be surrounded by players who will better anticipate his carries, passes, dribbles, through-balls; who will more often put away his key passes and in turn provide him with the ball in better positions.

He'll look even better under Pep because Pep is a great coach and is probably the best at taking a top player and maximising their potential.
It cuts both ways. How will he adjust to playing with better players, how will he handle not being picked every time, how will he handle not being given freedom to roam the pitch, how will he handle much bigger games and the criticism that comes with not having the protection of the fans? All these are why it is to early to crown him the best thing since sliced bread.
 

acolyte

New Member
Newbie
Joined
Jan 26, 2021
Messages
336
He's superb. Keep in mind that he he does what he does in a Villa shirt. Some people never factor that into their arguments. Players have completely different level playing fields. It's not as if he's surrounded by insane talent when he plays the way he does! Pulling Villa into that kind of position until he picked up the injury was nothing short of magnificent.

How will he look when he's not the man in the team at City? Well, he'll be surrounded by players who will better anticipate his carries, passes, dribbles, through-balls; who will more often put away his key passes and in turn provide him with the ball in better positions
I feel like I've seen this same argument for every single player who's stepped up to a higher level. "He looks so good now, imagine how good he'll look when surrounded by better players." But it hardly ever pans out. Some Guardian (I think) writer made this exact argument about Zaha in the spring of 2013, leading to severe disappointment a few years later on my part.

I also remember this same argument being made in for another Villa attacker, Ashley Young. He had one good season with us, but otherwise his best years in terms of productivity were at Villa. He never made the PFA Team of the Year with us. The better players around him at United didn't magically elevate him or make him more productive.

My point is a player standing out among lesser teammates doesn't mean anything. Sometimes their strengths just don't translate well to a new way of playing. Sometimes too skills get found out at a higher level. His new City teammates may expect even faster speed of thought and movement than he's used to, and he may find it hard to adjust.

It's by no means guaranteed that he'd look as good for City as he does for Villa.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Sultan

Hoof the ball

Full Member
Joined
Jan 16, 2008
Messages
12,271
Location
San Antonio, Texas.
It cuts both ways. How will he adjust to playing with better players, how will he handle not being picked every time, how will he handle not being given freedom to roam the pitch, how will he handle much bigger games and the criticism that comes with not having the protection of the fans? All these are why it is to early to crown him the best thing since sliced bread.
He played with better players in the England squad, and with the minutes he had was the most influential player on the field in terms of changing the game. That question can at least be answered in part by that sample size example. It also, in part, adds the question of dealing with pressure, also. The Euro's is a massively pressured environment, and given the criticism of the England team, perhaps even more so.

Best thing since sliced bread? I'm not sure who is saying that. Due his praise? Yes.
 

bosnian_red

Worst scout to ever exist
Joined
Aug 13, 2011
Messages
57,917
Location
Canada
Agreed. I love our window, impossible to complain. But, if I could have picked a transfer for this Summer that was (probably) attainable, he would be at the top of the list.
Nah. We've got the top 2 dream signings for me. Sancho > Grealish for many reasons, mainly for me being able to play RW but also because of the type of player he is and what he's proven and being 5 years younger. All of them surpass what Grealish has done so far, along with him only being able to play LW or CAM which happen to be our strongest positions. Varane easily the dream signing after Sancho IMO as the perfect partner next to Maguire with only Van Dijk being a more perfect/higher quality CB for us on paper but of course being unattainable.
 

SAFMUTD

New Member
Joined
Mar 14, 2018
Messages
11,787
Great player would have loved to see him here, but its not the right time. Bringing him at this point when we have other urgent positions to fill would be a total waste.
 

ForeverRed1

Full Member
Joined
Mar 10, 2013
Messages
5,413
Location
England UK!
Sell a lot of shirts to who?
let’s face it, City are doing all they can to catch us up. Buying him is buying a top English player at the peak of his powers. He is very very popular and very marketable. People will follow him. It’s all part of their strategy.

for the attention and something extra he will bring he will be worth 100million to them.
 

Hoof the ball

Full Member
Joined
Jan 16, 2008
Messages
12,271
Location
San Antonio, Texas.
I feel like I've seen this same argument for every single player who's stepped up to a higher level. "He looks so good now, imagine how good he'll look when surrounded by better players." But it hardly ever pans out. Some Guardian (I think) writer made this exact argument about Zaha in the spring of 2013, leading to severe disappointment a few years later on my part.

I also remember this same argument being made in for another Villa attacker, Ashley Young. He had one good season with us, but otherwise his best years in terms of productivity were at Villa. He never made the PFA Team of the Year with us. The better players around him at United didn't magically elevate him or make him more productive.

My point is a player standing out among lesser teammates doesn't mean anything. Sometimes their strengths just don't translate well to a new way of playing. Sometimes too skills get found out at a higher level. His new City teammates may expect even faster speed of thought and movement than he's used to, and he may find it hard to adjust.

It's by no means guaranteed that he'd look as good for City as he does for Villa.
Zaha was never going to be this incredible top class player. Whether at United or Palace, he always showed the signs of inconsistent decision making or poor first touch. He's a very gifted athlete with some tremendous physical gifts and decent technique. No one thought Ashley Young was a big shot. When we got Ashley most fans I communicated with understood that it was a good squad acquisition, nothing more.

But then, in the example of the above, which of these two were even close to being nominated for a PFA Player of the Year, like Grealish? Which of the above were key influential players in an international tournament? Praising Grealish and praising Zaha are entirely different because one truly had a PFA Player of the Year season (injury disrupting), and the other is/was a good player in a small team.
 

thundercats

New Member
Newbie
Joined
Jul 14, 2021
Messages
125
I don’t know where the Ronaldinho comparison comes from Ronaldinho is a legend and maybe the most skilful player of all time.
Jack Grealish is defiitely top 3 in the EPL, the only reason some don’t rate him is because he doesn’t score goals and of cours because he only plays for Villa

I just hate that he will sign for City, I love watching him play so I need to watch City games now but it is going to be painful.
 

acolyte

New Member
Newbie
Joined
Jan 26, 2021
Messages
336
Zaha was never going to be this incredible top class player. Whether at United or Palace, he always showed the signs of inconsistent decision making or poor first touch. He's a very gifted athlete with some tremendous physical gifts and decent technique. No one thought Ashley Young was a big shot. When we got Ashley most fans I communicated with understood that it was a good squad acquisition, nothing more.

But then, in the example of the above, which of these two were even close to being nominated for a PFA Player of the Year, like Grealish? Which of the above were key influential players in an international tournament? Praising Grealish and praising Zaha are entirely different because one truly had a PFA Player of the Year season (injury disrupting), and the other is/was a good player in a small team.
I think you're forgetting how highly rated Young was between 07-11. He was regularly talked about as the best player outside the top 4 and would be the most accurate comparison to Grealish today. Maybe he wasn't hyped up as the next Ronaldinho or anything, but that says more about the overrating of Grealish.

And Grealish wasn't a "key influential player in an international tournament." He played 172 minutes, less than 2 full games. He's also never been close to PFA player of the year either. As you say he was injured for half the season so wasn't even shortlisted. Really stretching the definition of "truly" there and jumping to some pretty big conclusions based on half a season.
 
Last edited:

Phil

Full Member
Joined
Aug 15, 2003
Messages
11,385
Premier league, English player in his peak going to a "bigger" team. I really think we should be in for him with whatever money we get from Pogba.
 

Cantonagotmehere

Full Member
Joined
Feb 3, 2015
Messages
3,339
Location
Charm City, MD
Nah. We've got the top 2 dream signings for me. Sancho > Grealish for many reasons, mainly for me being able to play RW but also because of the type of player he is and what he's proven and being 5 years younger. All of them surpass what Grealish has done so far, along with him only being able to play LW or CAM which happen to be our strongest positions. Varane easily the dream signing after Sancho IMO as the perfect partner next to Maguire with only Van Dijk being a more perfect/higher quality CB for us on paper but of course being unattainable.
Can't argue, love our signings. I guess I have Pogba leaving in my mind as well. Grealish equals goals and would have love dthe spotlight of out immense Club. But, again, I love your points about our signings, no complaints of course!
 

Winzaghi

Full Member
Joined
Sep 2, 2019
Messages
318
Supports
Aston Villa
Yeah. For his age he really hasn't achieved a lot. He didn't stand out much in the championship like someone like even Buendia did for example. His first season in the prem was decent but not much more. He had an excellent first half of the season but then got injured for much of the 2nd half.

He's a creative player with excellent close control and wins loads of fouls, sure, but he's literally not all that different to Isco (only with a really bad haircut). Isco was fantastic for a couple of seasons sure, but he's not some generational talent - neither is grealish. A very good talent but not an elite one like Sancho has shown since 18.
He was far and away the best player in the Championship in 2018/19 (a season that included the revered Mason Mount, and Emi Buendia for example), and only bettered arguably by Ruben Neves in 2017/18.
 

snk123

New Member
Joined
Apr 24, 2009
Messages
2,733
I don’t know where the Ronaldinho comparison comes from Ronaldinho is a legend and maybe the most skilful player of all time.
Just one poster said he's the modern day Ronaldinho. It's used mostly as a joke after that.
 

snk123

New Member
Joined
Apr 24, 2009
Messages
2,733
Generational talent? He’s nearing 26 and has done feck all so far. :lol:
Eric Cantona did feck all before coming to us. Bruno is nearing 27 and he did feck all before he joined us a couple of years ago. You do realize playing in a top team matters right?
 

SinNombre

Full Member
Joined
Jan 26, 2019
Messages
2,626
Eric Cantona did feck all before coming to us. Bruno is nearing 27 and he did feck all before he joined us a couple of years ago. You do realize playing in a top team matters right?
The Eric Cantona that won Leeds a league title before we signed him :lol:
 

amolbhatia50k

Sneaky bum time - Vaccination status: dozed off
Joined
Nov 8, 2002
Messages
95,582
Location
india
Eric Cantona did feck all before coming to us. Bruno is nearing 27 and he did feck all before he joined us a couple of years ago. You do realize playing in a top team matters right?
Those aren't generational talents. The likes of Messi, Zidane, Ronaldo and Iniesta were.
 

Andersonson

Full Member
Joined
Jan 12, 2013
Messages
3,784
Location
Trondheim
I don’t know where the Ronaldinho comparison comes from Ronaldinho is a legend and maybe the most skilful player of all time.
Jack Grealish is defiitely top 3 in the EPL, the only reason some don’t rate him is because he doesn’t score goals and of cours because he only plays for Villa

I just hate that he will sign for City, I love watching him play so I need to watch City games now but it is going to be painful.
He aint top 3 in the prem. Come on.

He's good, but some of you are overhyping him
 

Robbie Boy

Full Member
Joined
Jun 17, 2010
Messages
28,011
Location
Dublin
More so now that he's not signing for us/signing for city
I've always maintained it so feel free to look back on previous posts. As I said, very good player but phrases like 'generational talent' being used to describe him are ridiculously hyperbolic.

If he goes to City and absolutely tears it up, then maybe there's a case to be made.
 

Idxomer

Full Member
Joined
Aug 3, 2014
Messages
15,207
He is gonna overshadow De Bruyne if he goes to City and it will be funny seeing the amount of revisionism about him around here.
 

Judas

Open to offers
Joined
Jun 28, 2010
Messages
36,060
Location
Where the grass is greener.
He is gonna overshadow De Bruyne if he goes to City and it will be funny seeing the amount of revisionism about him around here.
Not many people are suddenly going to start calling him a generational talent though? He's very highly rated on here, but there's a line that once crossed just makes it seem a bit of nonsense.

If he doesn't look great playing in that ridiculously talented team under a brilliant manager, it would be a bit baffling, its not going to shock anyone.
 

Idxomer

Full Member
Joined
Aug 3, 2014
Messages
15,207
Not many people are suddenly going to start calling him a generational talent though? He's very highly rated on here, but there's a line that once crossed just makes it seem a bit of nonsense.

If he doesn't look great playing in that ridiculously talented team under a brilliant manager, it would be a bit baffling, its not going to shock anyone.
I don't really know what generation talent means to most people. It's like "world class" , everyone makes up their own definition as they go.

I think though people who only describe him as merely good will be shocked how great he is in a team like City.
 
Joined
Jul 31, 2015
Messages
22,793
Location
Somewhere out there
I don't really know what generation talent means to most people. It's like "world class"
Ronaldo, Rooney, Messi, Haaland, Mbappe.

A talent that comes around once or twice in a generation. It’s nothing like the iffy World Class bracket in which everyone has their own definition.

Of course Jack is a cracking player and could be incredible for City, but calling a 26 yr old Aston Villa player a generational talent is ridiculous.
 

snk123

New Member
Joined
Apr 24, 2009
Messages
2,733
Cantona was what 25/26 when he came to Leeds? Same age as Grealish?

Also saying he won Leeds the title is also incorrect since he played half a season.

The point still stands. Many players are not as successful by 25/26. (Especially when they are not playing for a top team)

Its ridiculous that some posters are mocking Grealish with this argument.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.