Jack Grealish’s time at Manchester City has been one where it seems like several factors have contributed to his downfall.
Henri Lansbury believes Grealish struggles against low blocks, a regular tactical ploy managers employ to keep City quiet.
However Grealish’s training habits were not the best at one point, leading Pep Guardiola to drop him out of his matchday against Fulham during the 2023/2024 season.
Regardless of what one considers is the crucial reason behind the Englishman’s decline, the fact of the matter is that he has struggled during his time at Manchester City.
Bernardo Silva staying at Man City in 2021 may have led to Jack Grealish’s downfall
When City signed Jack Grealish in 2021, The Athletic reported that sources close to Pep Guardiola revealed that the Catalan’s plan was to deploy him as a number eight.
Grealish was meant to compete with Ilkay Gundogan for a spot in Manchester City’s midfield, a role he was believed to prefer instead of playing out wide — with Bernardo Silva expected to leave and allow the 29-year-old to take his place in the middle of the park.
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However, Bernardo, who Grealish called a “magician” ended up staying at City and being the world-class midfielder he is, Pep Guardiola went on to mostly deploy him centrally and tasked the Englishman to play on the left flank.
Bernardo Silva and Jack Grealish warming up before Newcastle United vs Manchester City
Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images
While the three-time Premier League winner was a left-winger at Aston Villa, the dynamics of Dean Smith’s side were much more different compared to Guardiola’s tactical setup, with Matt Target hugging the touchline, allowing the attacker to occupy his preferred central zones and cause mayhem.
Pep Guardiola is blamed for stifling Grealish but the truth is that his side have lacked a traditional left-back until Rayan Ait-Nouri’s arrival and with Bernardo and Gundogan setting elite standards in midfield, his hands with respect to the former Villa skipper have been tied.
As a result, Grealish has played a mere 25 times in midfield during his time at City, generally looking a misfit in Guardiola’s system.
JACK GREALISH IN MIDFIELD AT MAN CITY APPEARANCES
LEFT MIDFIELD 15
CENTRAL MIDFIELD 2
ATTACKING MIDFIELD 8
If Manchester City’s £42 million man, Bernardo left in the summer of 2021, perhaps Grealish may have faced less competition in midfield and potentially even taken Gundogan’s place in the side had he performed.
The latest on Jack Grealish’s future at Man City
However, the past is the past and the player himself must be focused on the future now.
Sources close to Manchester City reveal selling Grealish is a “struggle” for them as no club is on board with their asking price for the silky technician.
City would like to bank £40 million while the decorated wideman earns £300,000-a-week, making him an expensive addition for any club.
Once Grealish leaves Manchester City, he will be hoping to play in midfield at his next club and not have to compete with players of the ilk of Bernardo.