Jack Grealish told to banish ‘fear’ of Man City man amid ‘massive’ claim – expert
Noel Whelan has urged Pep Guardiola to “take the shackles off” Jack Grealish this season in order for him to reach his full potential at Man City.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the 26-year-old may be “worried” about losing the ball in certain areas of the pitch.
Grealish notched just six goals and four assists in 39 games in his first season at Man City since completing a British-record move from Aston Villa last summer (2021).
Raheem Sterling’s imminent exit to Chelsea could bump Grealish up the pecking order at the Etihad Stadium after he made just 22 league starts last season.
He started the first league seven games of the 2021-22 campaign but quickly fell out of favour with Pep Guardiola.
When asked how Grealish can step up his game in order to succeed Sterling at City, Whelan told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury: “He needs to put this fear of Guardiola behind him.
“I know there’s a bit of a worry about losing the ball in certain areas because Pep wants to keep it moving – but the fear factor has to stop.
“He needs to become the player he was at Aston Villa.
“We know he’s got an end product, we know he’s strong on the ball and can fly past players – but he plays a lot safer in a Man City shirt.
“I think Pep needs to take the shackles off him and allow him to play the game which made him a £100m player. We haven’t seen that yet.
“That’s going to be the massive challenge for him this season. Can he get rid of that fear factor and bring his own game to Man City?”
In other news, pundit claims Phil Foden could quit Man City for Euro giants amid talks update.