Jack Grealish will begin a new chapter in his career this season at Everton.
David Moyes was keen to bring Grealish to the Hill Dickinson Stadium on loan for the upcoming season, and this week that transfer was completed, with the Man City star taking a pay cut to make it happen.
This switch was key for the winger’s future with the FIFA World Cup taking place next summer, as there was no chance the England star would make it into Thomas Tuchel’s squad at City due to the former Aston Villa star not being part of Pep Guardiola’s plans.
Rio Ferdinand has been commenting on this move, and the pundit has shared where he thinks it went wrong for Grealish at the Etihad Stadium.
Rio Ferdinand with a TNT Sports microphone in his hand during Manchester United v Galatasaray.
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Man City restricted Jack Grealish says Rio Ferdinand
Frank Leboeuf is one of many pundits who believe Grealish made a mistake by joining Manchester City, as Guardiola’s style never suited the winger and as a result, it has restricted what made the 29-year-old exciting at Aston Villa.
Ferdinand advised Grealish to join a club where he would be happy before he completed his move to Everton, and the former Man United defender has now been commenting on this move, revealing what he thinks went wrong for the Englishman in Manchester.
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“Now, when you look at Jack Grealish’s career at Man City, I’ve said this on numerous occasions. He has won trophies at Man City. He’s been hugely successful. Premier Leagues, he’s won the treble,” the pundit said on Rio Ferdinand Presents.
“He’s done it all, right? What he went there to achieve that will be written up on the walls when he left, he achieved. The question that I think that I’d love to get the answer to from him, which I think I know the answer to, is that I still don’t think he really enjoyed his football there.
“If you asked him where he enjoyed his football most, I reckon he’d say Villa. Because he was playing with a freedom, allowed to come inside the park, get the ball in all areas of the pitch, not locked down and having like stipulations and there’s rules and regulations to where you’ve got to play for the betterment of the team and the structure.
“This kid was like a maverick, just flying about, just where the game was, he felt it and was there, and it could produce moments, and so he didn’t get that freedom at Man City.”
Moyes will allow Grealish to play with no restrictions, and the Everton boss hopes that will help the winger to return to his best.
If the 29-year-old can reach the levels he did at Aston Villa, this could be an incredible signing for the Merseyside club, and it will also be very beneficial to Grealish’s career.
Jack Grealish playing for Manchester City against Chelsea.
Photo by Jeff Dean/Getty Images
Jack Grealish will be Everton’s best player
Danny Murphy has also chipped in on Grealish’s move to Everton, with the BBC pundit stating that he would love to see Moyes play the 29-year-old centrally, and that if the Man City loanee performs at his best, he will be Everton’s best player.
“Absolutely, he looks super fit, he is supposed to be super excited about the opportunity. He is a terrific player. He is brave, he gets on the ball, and the fans will love him,” Murphy told the BBC when asked if the transfer benefits everyone involved.
“The other quick thing, the great thing about being at Everton is that he won’t be coming up against packed defences every week. Teams will go after Everton because they are not as good as City, of course.
“Which is going to give him space. Now, they still got to get him the ball, but I think as long as Moyesy plays him more centrally, where he’s involved all the time, we’ll see the best. If he stays fit, he’ll be Everton’s best player.”