Jack Grealish: This is real reason for Man City struggles after boardroom reveal – Hutton
Alan Hutton has insisted Manchester City must be patient with Jack Grealish after a slow start to life at the Etihad Stadium.
The former Aston Villa defender, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed it would take the 26-year-old as long as a full season to adapt to his new surroundings.
A Manchester City source told Football Insider (3 February) that club chiefs feel they made a mistake signing Grealish over Harry Kane last summer.
City paid a British-record fee of £100million to sign the attacking midfielder but there is a feeling among the top brass the money would have been better spent on the Tottenham striker.
The source explained Pep Guardiola and his coaches have no doubt over Grealish’s talent but he has struggled to fit into City’s style of play.
Hutton, who spent five years playing alongside Grealish in Villa’s senior side, insisted the midfielder just needs time to adapt as he explained the different style of play is the real reason for his struggles.
Hutton told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “He’s had a lot of change within his life. The weight of moving £100million, he’s an England regular, he’s gone to the champions.
“He’s expected to hit the ground running and score goals and make assists sets but he’s in a new environment. It’s a new way of playing which is totally different than what he’s used to. I’m more than sure that’s the reason.
“You have to be playing a certain way on the pitch. Passing and moving, whereas everything at Villa was through Jack. Give the ball to Jack, let him do something, let him run with it and make something happen.
“Whereas at Man City, that’s not how he plays. He’s just another piece of the puzzle for them to get the ball in the net. It’s going to take time for him to adapt but there’s no doubting his quality.
“If you look at a lot of players that Man City have bought in over the years, it’s taken them a season to really adapt to what Pep wants.
“He will get there, he’ll get it, he’s a clever player. It might take until next season for him to really start to hit form but it will happen. I’m more than sure of it.”
Grealish has played 24 times for City since his big-money move.
He has scored three goals and contributed three assists so far.
In other news, Man City in advanced talks to agree deal with sensation rated as good as Phil Foden.