Jack Grealish is ‘scared’ playing for Pep Guardiola after new Man City confession – pundit
Noel Whelan has claimed Jack Grealish is “scared” playing under Pep Guardiola at Man City after impressing on England duty.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted there is a “fear factor” for the 26-year-old playing for his club compared to the Three Lions.
As quoted by BBC Sport on Thursday (9 June), Grealish confessed he he has played “with a lot more freedom” with England and that he has “played it a bit safe” at City.
Whelan insisted the attacking midfielder has not been the same player he was at Aston Villa.
He urged Guardiola need to remove the “shackles” Grealish is struggling with at City.
Whelan told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “Grealish has come from Aston Villa where his freedom was given every game. He was the one that was going out, he was the big-name player, he was the captain of the football club.
“He was told to go out there and be as free as you like when you’re in those attacking thirds. Take people on, if you lose the ball, I’d rather you lose it there. I think he’s a little bit more wary and scared of losing possession which is what Man City are all about.
“They’re a possession-based club, rather than taking that risk and losing it. I think he needs to be given that free rein because that’s what he was brought into the club for. Pep needs to understand the player that he bought was the player that he was at Aston Villa.
“Now you don’t want to change that. You don’t want to drag that away from him. Yes, at times, be a little bit more careful with the ball and rather than losing it, let’s keep it. Your opportunity will come, bide your time when you take players on in the right moments.
“I think when you see him play for England, the impact he made the other night, you see more of a freedom in Jack Grealish than you do at Manchester City. I think you should just let him be the Jack Grealish of Aston Villa. Take that weight off his shoulders and that worry about losing the ball in possession.
“I’d rather him go and express himself in that final third. Nine times out of ten, you’ll probably see him create something. I think there’s a fear factor in Jack Grealish under Pep Guardiola at the moment. That shackle needs to be taken away.”
In other news, pundit claims Man City may already have Raheem Sterling replacement lined up after £60m update.