Split Image of Pep Guardiola and Jack Grealish of Manchester City with inset of mystery player
Split Image of Pep Guardiola and Jack Grealish of Manchester City with inset of mystery player
Pep Guardiola recently suggested that Jack Grealish could depart Manchester City in the summer.
Guardiola admitted Grealish needs to play regularly and perhaps he might be able to at another club next season after City’s 2-0 win against Fulham.
The Englishman has had yet another disappointing campaign at the Etihad Stadium, making just 16 starts in all competitions.
Grealish looks set to leave Manchester City and perhaps it is time to become a regular starter elsewhere, keeping in mind that the World Cup is next year and Thomas Tuchel left him out of his latest England squad.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Rayan Cherki should take Jack Grealish’s number if he joins Man City
Rayan Cherki has been heavily linked with a move to City and if he does join Pep Guardiola’s side, he should be handed the 29-year-old’s number 10 shirt as he looks on his way out.
Unlike Jack Grealish, Cherki, who Ainsley Maitland-Niles referred to as a “genius” while speaking to BBC Sport has always been an attacking midfielder and the number would suit him to perfection.
More Man City News
Manchester City rate Cherki highly and if they do wrap up a deal to sign him, they could very well choose to hand him Grealish’s number straightaway; much like when the latter took the shirt from Sergio Aguero after he left to join Barcelona.
The Frenchman is the type of maverick who has always been associated with the iconic number, as his sublime technical ability, phenomenal passing range and outstanding dribbling make him a crowd favourite.
AC Milan could be Grealish’s next destination and considering Pep Guardiola left him out of City’s squad to face Fulham, it seems like he should consider taking his talents abroad.
City’s attacking midfielders seem unlikely to sport the number anytime soon, with Phil Foden sticking to donning the number 47 on his back and perhaps it being too early for Oscar Bobb to don such a shirt as well.
Man City’s recent history with the number 10 shirt
Cherki could join an esteemed list of names if he signed for Manchester City if he was given the number 10 shirt.
Some of the names include the likes of Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko and Shaun Goater.
Aguero is arguably City’s greatest player of all time, Dzeko is remembered as a cult hero and Goater has cemented his status as an icon at the club.
If Cherki signed for Manchester City, he would be determined to replicate their heroics and take on the pressure of taking Grealish’s shirt.