Jack Grealish’s transfer to Manchester City is finally complete with the 25-year-old becoming the most expensive Premier League footballer in history. Grealish’s £100 million price tag will go some way in lessening the hurt that Aston Villa fans will currently be feeling after seeing their club captain depart for East Manchester.
It should be said that there's a general feeling of trepidation from the rest of the league as well, given how strong City are likely to be in the upcoming season. At present, online betting odds show City at just 4/6 to defend their Premier League crown. Naturally, Grealish has naturally been predicted to play an integral role in helping Pep Guardiola's men secure another win. Additionally, the latest betting tips also indicate that Grealish is one of the favourites to win the PFA Player of the Year 2021/2022 award alongside Harry Kane, who's currently at odds of 8/1 for the same accolade.
In layman’s terms, big things are predicted for Grealish in his first season at the Etihad Stadium, but how should we expect Grealish to be utilised under Guardiola?
Thanks for the memories, @JackGrealish. pic.twitter.com/yQ1RYPmiU3
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) August 5, 2021
Under Dean Smith at Aston Villa, Grealish had been given a license to roam in the final third with virtually every attacking move going through him. That freedom may be slightly curtailed as Guardiola intends to use Grealish predominantly as a left-sided attacking midfielder, which will mean he'll be in direct competition with Ilkay Gundogan who thrived in that position last season.
Indeed, Gundogan’s 13 goals from midfield spurred City on during a crucial time in the season and ultimately played a huge part in the club winning the Premier League. So, in that sense, Grealish may not walk straight into the starting XI at first, but it's likely that by Christmas, the former Aston Villa man will be playing more frequently.
City fans won't want to hear this but they will have to exercise a fair bit of patience as Grealish adapts to the demanding nature of Guardiola and the expectations that lie ahead. In reality, life on the football pitch is going to change quite dramatically for Grealish now he has signed a contract with the Premier League champions.
Grealish "To play for Pep and learn from him is going to be special and it's something any top footballer would want."#UCL | @ManCity pic.twitter.com/qhg7RJM9Cq
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) August 5, 2021
The midfielder, of course, has the skill to thrive in his new surroundings but inevitably an adjustment period awaits given that he is coming from a team where less was expected of him in terms of pressing the opposition. If anything, one of Grealish’s few faults is that he doesn't do enough when his team is out of possession, so when you consider that Guardiola's philosophy is built on movement, you can understand how much of a culture shock it will potentially be for the midfielder.
It should be said that there's no doubt in Guardiola's mind that Grealish can fit in, he simply wouldn’t have broken the Premier League transfer fee if he thought otherwise. Admittedly, it may not be fireworks at first, but once Grealish finds his feet in Manchester, the whole world will stop to watch.
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