When Manchester City signed Jack Grealish from Aston Villa in 2021, he was one of the best players in the Premier League.
Four seasons later, Manchester City are ready to sell Grealish, who has amassed a mere 40 goal contributions (23 goals and 17 assists) in 157 games.
Pep Guardiola seemed like the perfect manager for the England international, considering the attacker is technically gifted, versatile enough to play in midfield and on the wing and in his prime.
However, the fact that the Saudi Pro League are targeting Grealish at 29 years of age speaks volumes of how far his stock has plummeted in the past few years.
Jack Grealish playing for Manchester City against Bournemouth.
Photo by Robin Jones – AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images
Henri Lansbury feels playing against low blocks has stifled Jack Grealish at Man City
At Aston Villa, it seemed like Jack Grealish was destined for superstardom, lighting up the Premier League with his powerful carrying of the ball, match-winning ability and silky technique.
However, Pep Guardiola feels Grealish must play regular football, hinting that it is time for him to leave City.
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Henri Lansbury, who played alongside the Englishman told The Peter Crouch Podcast that playing against low blocks has not suited the Manchester City winger’s game, explaining: “I feel at Villa, it was like, we just give the ball to Jack and let him go and do his magic. Like we’ll back up behind the ball.”
“And that’s when he’s at his best.”
Henri Lansbury believes Grealish was Aston Villa’s “saviour” and it is “frustrating” how much he has struggled at Manchester City: “And that’s when he’s at his best, but then obviously when you play against City, everyone banks up, don’t they? So he’s not getting space and like to do his stuff. But no, Villa, mate, the saviour, mate, the saviour kept us up.”
“Everyone I’ve spoken to like around that time just talks about Jack Grealish, how good he was and how good he is really. It’s just frustrating we don’t see as much of it. We didn’t see it anyway.”
Henri Lansbury and Jack Grealish’s record together at Aston Villa
It seems like Grealish has found it a challenge to perform at his best at Manchester City, as Henri Lansbury explained because at Aston Villa, he often played on the counter-attack.
As a result, the three-time Premier League winner had a lot more space to exploit defences in comparison to when he plays at the Etihad Stadium.
Lansbury knows Grealish’s game inside and out, having played 27 times with him at Villa.
HENRI LANSBURY AND JACK GREALISH’S RECORD AT ASTON VILLA
MATCHES 27
WINS 10
DRAWS 7
LOSSES 10
JOINT-GOAL PARTICIPATION 3
The pair won 10 games, lost 10 and drew seven while being involved in three goals as a duo.
Registering 75 goal involvements (32 goals and 43 assists) in 213 appearances for Aston Villa, it’s safe to say that Grealish has declined as a forward since becoming a City player.