Both are very good. But the current Caf darling is James Maddison so any AM not named James Maddison will be deemed not good enough by the Caf.
Until they sign for us, of course, in which case they will be the second coming.
Jack Grealish / signs new 5 year contract
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Until they sign for us, of course, in which case they will be the second coming.
Grealish isnt an AM
He's not? I thought all his work was in the attacking third!
Shows what I know about him
He clearly is. As per his Wikipedia profile, "Jack Peter Grealish (born 10 September 1995) is an English professional footballer who plays as a winger or as an attacking midfielder and captains Premier League club Aston Villa."
If he signed for us, that's the role I'd expect him to perform, since he'd replace Lingard.
Villa just lost Wesley and Heaton for the season, no chance they are selling Greilish in Jan
We an always try to add Lindgard as a loan for the rest of the season.
Grealish said in a post match interview when villa were last live on sky that his favoured position is playing on the left, he played there that night and was motm
I'd take him in a heartbeat but he's definitely better on the left
I'd take him in a heartbeat but he's definitely better on the left
Grealish has been moved higher up the pitch – and he’s loving the more advanced position he’s occupying.
He told Club TV: "I know what I bring to the team, I know what I do every single game. That's why the manager pushed me further upfield.
“I'm not playing like a left-winger, more of an Inside No.10.
https://www.google.no/amp/s/www.avfc.co.uk/News/2019/10/25/jack-grealish-pre-man-city?view=amp
Asked after the game as to his best position, Grealish, with a smile, replied: "I don't think the manager will like me saying this, but I prefer playing as a number eight, but I'll play wherever the manager wants."
https://www.expressandstar.com/spor...realishs-versatility-after-newcastle-display/
Well don't I look foolish I can see the video footage of it in my head but I've clearly got myself legged up
So actually the complete opposite of preferring the left wing.
He played most of last season as a 10 or left sided 8. The only reason he plays LW now is becuase Villa are shit and want to pack the middle with an extra body. We don't need that so he'd obviously start central for us.
https://www.independent.co.uk/sport...-villa-future-manchester-united-a9269106.html
Haven’t seen this mentioned here, sorry if I missed it, but this article says Dean Smith insists Grealish is not for sale in January.
Don’t know how reliable this journalist is, but I hope he’s shite, as I would really like us to go for Grealish this transfer window.
Haven’t seen this mentioned here, sorry if I missed it, but this article says Dean Smith insists Grealish is not for sale in January.
Don’t know how reliable this journalist is, but I hope he’s shite, as I would really like us to go for Grealish this transfer window.
First of I’m replying this not because I agree with 20m plus Lingard because that was clearly a troll. But I would like to focus on that particular highlighted sentence.
Of course they need money. They need to avoid after break the FFP rule. Whether they will sell in January or before May 2020 who knows, but they need the money for sure, without a doubt this signing will be full cash. They are just recently promoted, it’s not like they have been profited for long time by staying in PL.
I'd take him as a squad player to replace Lingard, but he's not good enough to take us up a level.
Who will take us to the next level in Jan?
You should watch more of him, having him in our midfield instead of Lingard or Pereira would transform our attack.
Grealish would be an improvement on what we have i.e. mata, lingard.
What are posters view on buying now and leaving him with Villa until the summer?
It would mean current players know a quality player is coming in summer and they would up their game for remainder of season.
Also other targets might join United easier.
What are posters view on buying now and leaving him with Villa until the summer?
It would mean current players know a quality player is coming in summer and they would up their game for remainder of season.
Also other targets might join United easier.
Seems like we could use him in our midfield so, yes, sign him up Ole.
Transform might be a bit much... with the word transform i associate something Virgil van Dijk did for the Liverpool defense.
Grealish will be an improvement over Lingard (but who isnt) but i am not so sure about transforming the midfield. Pogba isnt even able to do that by himself and Pogba is much better than Grealish.
If I'd to choose between Grealish and Maddison I'd choose the former: (a) because he captains/captained his side, (b) he seems a bit more creative to me.
But honestly I'd go for neither, particularly given the price, I'd price neither over 40 mil.
For the Premier League, the ideal n10 should have a certain balance between workrate or athleticism and creativity/technique (or even consistency in technique). Personally feel both tend to contribute more to the workrate/athleticism aspect than the creative/technique one.
Just read the post above mine, and I'd say Pogba for the n10 position contributes more to the creative/technique aspect of what is required, and thus whilst he might be the best candidate in the squad for the position, he isn't what's best, or should I say what would give us a consistent edge against the opposition. (I say this because his contribution to an off-the-ball press is, well, mostly pointless and I feel the PSG game at home last year highlights the point).
But honestly I'd go for neither, particularly given the price, I'd price neither over 40 mil.
For the Premier League, the ideal n10 should have a certain balance between workrate or athleticism and creativity/technique (or even consistency in technique). Personally feel both tend to contribute more to the workrate/athleticism aspect than the creative/technique one.
Just read the post above mine, and I'd say Pogba for the n10 position contributes more to the creative/technique aspect of what is required, and thus whilst he might be the best candidate in the squad for the position, he isn't what's best, or should I say what would give us a consistent edge against the opposition. (I say this because his contribution to an off-the-ball press is, well, mostly pointless and I feel the PSG game at home last year highlights the point).
I've watched more than one Villa game this season just to keep an eye on him. An improvement on either of those two would be welcome, and like I said, I'd take him as a replacement for Lingard (or Pereira), but we'd still need to be in the market for a first choice #10.
No one who is available. And Villa won't sell their best player in January when he's their primary hope of staying up.
Hasn't Maddison created the most chances in the league this season? I seem to recall having read that. But I agree that neither is super exciting, definitely not if they're priced in the Maguire range. And I also agree that I'd prefer Grealish because we need players who take responsibility, his leadership would probably come in handy in this team devoid of leaders.
Yeah transform was probably a bit OTT
the difference between Lingard and him would feel like one at least.Grealish-ous...I’d have him here. Got the lot. Just needs a haircut and pull his socks up.
I didn't know any stat about Maddison but a quick google search reveals the following: (these are premier league stats apparently from squawka)
1. Kevin DeBruyne 71 chances created (1562 minutes)
2. Emiliano Buendia: 57 chances created (1504 minutes)
3. TAA: 57 chances created (1663 minutes)
4. Jack Grealish: 49 chances created (1614 minutes)
5. James Maddison: 46 chances created (1606 minutes)
6. Pascal Gross: 45 chances created (1244 minutes)
7.Lucas Digne: 45 chances created (1620 minutes)
8. João Moutinho: 44 chances created (1710 minutes)
9.Gylfi Sigurdsson: 35 chances (1419 minutes)
10. Gerard Deulofeu: 35 chances (1469 minutes)
link: https://www.squawka.com/en/news/most-chances-created-premier-league-2019-2020
I don't particularly follow Leicester nor Aston Villa, but given the hype on the two players I try to watch what would be "tough games" for both teams, and I wasn't excited as you say about either, cleverness does come through sometimes but technique or inspiration: not really.
Maybe if I was caught impressed watching them play against a low block (with some indication of consistency) I'd be more forthcoming, but I maybe don't watch enough games, given I am picky about watching opposition teams.
Interesting. I may have read about Maddison at the stage of the season when he was in front. Doesn't surprise me seeing Kevin there on top. Yeah, they are both relatively underwhelming choices. If we're spending huge dosh on any player, it should be an outstanding prospect or a sure bet. Nothing else. There are plenty of non-British players our scouting network should be able to uncover, for a fraction of the inflated British-player prices.
We so desperately need an elite DoF it's tragic..
His tiny weeny shinpads and socks down irks me but i do love the guy, great player and his hair is what one can only aspire to.
Look at that, Grealish & Digne. The two position that we need an upgrade and both of them are in top 7 of most chances created and we also need more creative player in our squad. In addition, both of them are realistic signing to join us in the summer. How coincidence is that?
I may be mistaken but I remember reading that he wears his socks low because of George Best.
2 full backs in the top 7. I'd be amazed if Shaw and Wan Bissaka were in the top 7 at United alone.
It will be very difficult to get Grealish in January but he's definitely worth a go. He's far more attainable than Maddison and feels like it's the ideal time for him to make the step up. Villa will be in huge trouble without him though.
He's creative, has good work ethic and has genuine pace on the counter attack. He can play in a midfield 3, a number 10 and in a front 3. All positions where United need options. He is a class act.
We should sign Groß then too if we’re basing it on arbitrary stats.
| Player | Team | Country | Apps | Min | G | A | xG | xA | xG90 | xA90 | xA Adjustment for League Strength |
| Kevin De Bruyne | Manchester City | England | 20.00 | 1674.00 | 8.00 | 12.00 | 4.61 | 11.3 | 0.25 | 0.61 | |
| Trent Alexander-Arnold | Liverpool | England | 20.00 | 1757.00 | 2.00 | 8.00 | 2.09 | 7.42 | 0.11 | 0.38 | |
| Lionel Messi | Barcelona | Spain | 13.00 | 1076.00 | 13.00 | 6.00 | 6.37 | 6.05 | 0.53 | 0.51 | |
| Riyad Mahrez | Manchester City | England | 17.00 | 991.00 | 5.00 | 6.00 | 3.74 | 6.00 | 0.34 | 0.54 | |
| Thomas Müller | Bayern Munich | Germany | 17.00 | 959.00 | 2.00 | 10.00 | 3.8 | 7.21 | 0.36 | 0.68 | |
| Raúl Jiménez | Wolverhampton Wanderers | England | 21.00 | 1769.00 | 8.00 | 6.00 | 7.46 | 5.69 | 0.38 | 0.29 | |
| Emiliano Buendía | Norwich | England | 21.00 | 1597.00 | 0.00 | 7.00 | 1.48 | 5.54 | 0.08 | 0.31 | 5.54 |
| Rodrigo | Valencia | Spain | 16.00 | 1173.00 | 2.00 | 6.00 | 4.56 | 5.24 | 0.35 | 0.40 | |
| Ángel Di María | Paris Saint Germain | France | 17.00 | 1307.00 | 6.00 | 7.00 | 6.34 | 7.41 | 0.44 | 0.51 | |
| Raheem Sterling | Manchester City | England | 20.00 | 1681.00 | 11.00 | 1.00 | 11.5 | 5.16 | 0.62 | 0.28 | |
| Serge Gnabry | Bayern Munich | Germany | 15.00 | 1163.00 | 6.00 | 6.00 | 7.4 | 6.4 | 0.57 | 0.50 | |
| Andrew Robertson | Liverpool | England | 20.00 | 1728.00 | 1.00 | 6.00 | 1.09 | 5.08 | 0.06 | 0.26 | |
| Jesús Navas | Sevilla | Spain | 19.00 | 1710.00 | 0.00 | 3.00 | 0.14 | 4.95 | 0.01 | 0.26 | |
| Pascal Groß | Brighton | England | 18.00 | 1246.00 | 1.00 | 4.00 | 1.21 | 4.94 | 0.09 | 0.36 | 4.94 |
| Timo Werner | RasenBallsport Leipzig | Germany | 17.00 | 1433.00 | 18.00 | 6.00 | 15.6 | 6.15 | 0.98 | 0.39 | |
| Willian | Chelsea | England | 20.00 | 1455.00 | 4.00 | 4.00 | 3.42 | 4.86 | 0.21 | 0.30 | |
| Martin Odegaard | Real Sociedad | Spain | 16.00 | 1440.00 | 4.00 | 5.00 | 2.21 | 4.77 | 0.14 | 0.30 | 4.77 |
| Gerard Moreno | Villarreal | Spain | 18.00 | 1500.00 | 8.00 | 2.00 | 8.4 | 4.74 | 0.50 | 0.28 | |
| Filip Kostic | Eintracht Frankfurt | Germany | 16.00 | 1432.00 | 1.00 | 5.00 | 2.41 | 5.65 | 0.15 | 0.36 | 4.52 |
| Karim Benzema | Real Madrid | Spain | 17.00 | 1490.00 | 12.00 | 5.00 | 12.5 | 4.46 | 0.76 | 0.27 | |
| Sadio Mané | Liverpool | England | 19.00 | 1591.00 | 11.00 | 6.00 | 10.4 | 4.46 | 0.59 | 0.25 | |
| Roberto Firmino | Liverpool | England | 20.00 | 1646.00 | 6.00 | 4.00 | 9.24 | 4.32 | 0.51 | 0.24 | |
| Santiago Cazorla | Villarreal | Spain | 15.00 | 1133.00 | 5.00 | 4.00 | 4.26 | 4.26 | 0.34 | 0.34 | |
| Son Heung-Min | Tottenham | England | 16.00 | 1314.00 | 5.00 | 7.00 | 3.88 | 4.25 | 0.27 | 0.29 | 4.25 |
| Jack Grealish | Aston Villa | England | 19.00 | 1705.00 | 6.00 | 5.00 | 4.85 | 4.22 | 0.26 | 0.22 | 4.22 |
| Mikel Oyarzabal | Real Sociedad | Spain | 18.00 | 1564.00 | 7.00 | 4.00 | 6.03 | 4.16 | 0.35 | 0.24 | 4.16 |
| José Campaña | Levante | Spain | 17.00 | 1503.00 | 2.00 | 4.00 | 1.38 | 4.14 | 0.08 | 0.25 | 4.14 |
| Christian Günter | Freiburg | Germany | 17.00 | 1530.00 | 1.00 | 5.00 | 0.62 | 5.1 | 0.04 | 0.30 | 4.08 |
| Toni Kroos | Real Madrid | Spain | 16.00 | 1255.00 | 2.00 | 2.00 | 2.2 | 4.05 | 0.16 | 0.29 | 4.05 |
| Dimitri Payet | Marseille | France | 15.00 | 1329.00 | 6.00 | 3.00 | 4.51 | 5.73 | 0.31 | 0.39 | 4.011 |
| Joshua Kimmich | Bayern Munich | Germany | 17.00 | 1500.00 | 0.00 | 4.00 | 0.32 | 4.98 | 0.02 | 0.30 | 3.984 |
| Jadon Sancho | Borussia Dortmund | Germany | 15.00 | 1183.00 | 9.00 | 9.00 | 5.26 | 4.86 | 0.40 | 0.37 | 3.888 |
| Robert Lewandowski | Bayern Munich | Germany | 17.00 | 1503.00 | 19.00 | 2.00 | 17.2 | 4.73 | 1.03 | 0.28 | 3.784 |
| Riccardo Orsolini | Bologna | Italy | 17.00 | 1291.00 | 4.00 | 4.00 | 5.56 | 5.35 | 0.39 | 0.37 | 3.745 |
| Kylian Mbappe-Lottin | Paris Saint Germain | France | 12.00 | 821.00 | 11.00 | 4.00 | 8.74 | 5.32 | 0.96 | 0.58 | 3.724 |
| Florian Niederlechner | Augsburg | Germany | 17.00 | 1477.00 | 8.00 | 6.00 | 7.93 | 4.56 | 0.48 | 0.28 | 3.648 |
| Marcus Thuram | Borussia M.Gladbach | Germany | 17.00 | 1250.00 | 6.00 | 5.00 | 6.3 | 4.55 | 0.45 | 0.33 | 3.64 |
| Kevin Volland | Bayer Leverkusen | Germany | 17.00 | 1377.00 | 5.00 | 6.00 | 7.12 | 4.5 | 0.47 | 0.29 | 3.6 |
| Christopher Nkunku | RasenBallsport Leipzig | Germany | 16.00 | 844.00 | 3.00 | 7.00 | 5.15 | 4.41 | 0.55 | 0.47 | 3.528 |
| Luis Alberto | Lazio | Italy | 16.00 | 1395.00 | 3.00 | 11.00 | 3.74 | 4.93 | 0.24 | 0.32 | 3.451 |
| Aleksandr Golovin | Monaco | France | 16.00 | 1353.00 | 3.00 | 3.00 | 2.28 | 4.42 | 0.15 | 0.29 | 3.094 |
| Alejandro Gomez | Atalanta | Italy | 16.00 | 1261.00 | 5.00 | 6.00 | 4.85 | 4.32 | 0.35 | 0.31 | 3.024 |
| Nicola Sansone | Bologna | Italy | 17.00 | 1389.00 | 4.00 | 3.00 | 7.27 | 4.29 | 0.47 | 0.28 | 3.003 |
| Dejan Kulusevski | Parma Calcio 1913 | Italy | 17.00 | 1449.00 | 4.00 | 7.00 | 2.92 | 4.07 | 0.18 | 0.25 | 2.849 |
| Mathieu Dossevi | Toulouse | France | 19.00 | 1247.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 | 1.23 | 4.01 | 0.09 | 0.29 | 2.807 |
| Lorenzo Pellegrini | Roma | Italy | 11.00 | 952.00 | 2.00 | 6.00 | 0.95 | 4.01 | 0.09 | 0.38 | 2.807 |
| José Callejón | Napoli | Italy | 16.00 | 1140.00 | 1.00 | 4.00 | 1.92 | 3.88 | 0.15 | 0.31 | 2.716 |
| Islam Slimani | Monaco | France | 12.00 | 946.00 | 6.00 | 7.00 | 7.55 | 3.88 | 0.72 | 0.37 | 2.716 |
| Gonzalo Higuaín | Juventus | Italy | 15.00 | 1008.00 | 4.00 | 4.00 | 5.3 | 3.72 | 0.47 | 0.33 | 2.604 |
| Zinedine Ferhat | Nimes | France | 16.00 | 1360.00 | 1.00 | 3.00 | 2.18 | 3.7 | 0.14 | 0.24 | 2.59 |
| Nicolo Zaniolo | Roma | Italy | 16.00 | 1171.00 | 4.00 | 1.00 | 3.21 | 3.68 | 0.25 | 0.28 | 2.576 |
| Moses Simon | Nantes | France | 17.00 | 1420.00 | 2.00 | 4.00 | 3.62 | 3.64 | 0.23 | 0.23 | 2.548 |
| Florent Mollet | Montpellier | France | 16.00 | 1108.00 | 5.00 | 2.00 | 2.24 | 3.58 | 0.18 | 0.29 | 2.506 |
| Gelson Martins | Monaco | France | 17.00 | 1406.00 | 3.00 | 1.00 | 4.07 | 3.55 | 0.26 | 0.23 | 2.485 |
| Suso | AC Milan | Italy | 15.00 | 1273.00 | 1.00 | 2.00 | 0.99 | 3.5 | 0.07 | 0.25 | 2.45 |
That's a table of the best xA stats across Europe's big leagues.
I've added a column on the right to adjust for the strength of the leagues (PL and La Liga @ 100%, BL @ 80%, Serie A and Ligue 1 @ 70%).
I've crossed out the out-and-out forwards, the olds, the players at super wealthy clubs, and the ex-players.
Grealish comes 6th. He's behind only Buendia, Gross, Odegaard, Kostic and Son. Maddison couldn't make the cut.
Out of those 6, Grealish looks like the best match in the whole of Europe.
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Unless you can name names, you're throwing out a bigoted conjecture.
Leave nationality out of it and judge players on how good they are.
Nice to see Pascal Gross up there, I genuinely think he is one of the most under rated attacking midfielders in the PL. Can play happily in a wide position or as no. 10 constantly creates chances, but does have an iffy injury record.
If you read my post, it wasn’t just based on stats.
I really like the look of this guy. He's a leader, creative and is consistent without being extraordinary. Would prefer him to Madison based on what it'll cost to bring them here.
He's at a good age as well, where there is lot of potential to improve.
If we can get him, along with a DM and a pogba replacement (if he leaves), we would sort out our midfield
He's at a good age as well, where there is lot of potential to improve.
If we can get him, along with a DM and a pogba replacement (if he leaves), we would sort out our midfield
Tbh most of Gross's chances created are through great free kicks and corners. Set pieces do seem to water down the in play stats (obviously they're still important) but If it was down in play then i'd have Maddison/Buendia/Grealish all day.
If we go into the summer and don't sign a player like this we either have no cash available or the management have no idea what they're doing.
Bar Messi, I don't see any individual player taking us up a level. The only thing that I see taking us up a level is Ole or a new coach implementing a system that gets the best out of the team as a whole instead of relying on individuals.
I can't say I've ever watched him for you, but I saw quite a bit of him in Germany for Ingolstadt under Southampton's Hasenhuttl. I really liked how Hasenhuttl got them playing and he always stood out. I remember when you initially bought him I was telling everyone to get him in their fantasy teams!
I think its very possible they go down with him in the team. So they might think about getting £50 million for him now and spending that on 2 or 3 players to make them a better team and help keep them up. Villa need a solid CB more than they need Grealish having conceded the 3rd most goals in the league this season. Might need a keeper too since Heaton has been dodgy.
A CB, a keeper and a replacement goalscorer for the front positions in exchange for Grealish would certainly improve them
We'd probably
We'd probably have to pay them an extra ten million to take him
So is he best playing through the middle or off the left? We seem to enjoy filling our squad with players who would rather play there, even though Rashford has that spot nailed.
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