Man City news: Expert rubbishes Graeme Souness verdict on Jack Grealish – ‘I worked with him every day’
Alan Hutton has rubbished suggestions Man City midfielder Jack Grealish does “not see the picture quick enough.”
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Aston Villa defender said Grealish, 27, is told to “retain the ball” by his manager Pep Guardiola.
Speaking to talkSPORT (20 September), Graeme Souness suggested Man City’s most expensive ever signing does not “see the picture quick enough.”
As shown on Sky Sports (22 September), Grealish responded to Souness by saying “I don’t know what problem he’s got.”
Hutton, who played with Grealish at Villa Park, gave a glowing reference of his former teammate.
“When you go for a big price tag to a top club there will be times where the press will come for you,” he told Football Insider.
“We need to remember that Jack came from an Aston Villa team where he was the captain and a free spirit. He was a maverick who would make things happen.
“You will get more space at a club like Aston Villa because teams will attack you. If you are Man City you will be playing against a low block. The space is not going to be there.
“Pep Guardiola plays a particular way. It is very structured. That is something Jack needs to get used to.
“For other pundits to come out and say he is not seeing the picture because he is being fouled… That is not what he has been asked to do.
“[Kevin] De Bruyne and [Joao] Cancelo are the ones who make the early pass. Guardiola wants Jack to retain the ball.
“Look, he knows he can add to his numbers. He is desperate to do that. I have worked with him day in, day out and let me tell you he is an outstanding player and a winner.”
In other news, Kieran Maguire has claimed Man City chiefs have secured ‘jewel in the crown’ as new deal is agreed.