Grealish To City? | City bid £100M

[RedRonaldo]

The point remains, you're implying putting up these numbers in the BL compared to PL is much easier, when we've seen the opposite of this as well irrespective of position. If you want to go down this path KdB is a good measurement, had the highest assist record in BL until Muller (19 or 20) recently broke and is jointed highest in the PL (20). Ultimately I don't disagree with what your saying, if a player like Foden/Grealish joined Dortmund they'd probably put up good numbers, because Dortmund are a great attacking unit, Dembele is another example when he had 10 goals and 22 assists in one season there.

If you read back my post I've already said there are genuinely top class players who done well in both leagues too. But in general, stats for attacking players tend to get inflated alot in BL as compared to PL, it isn't biggest secret in football. We will just have to wait and see how Sancho performs in PL to give a fair comparison. By just using his BL stats over past few season to compare directly with Grealish stats in PL isn't even on same barometer, that's all I am saying. Also, there are alot other aspect we havn't factor in yet, such as Dortmund tend to play with higher possession than Aston Villa, their style of play is more attacking oriented, and the BL teams they are facing would give them more space to attack as compared to PL teams etc.

 

[Counterfactual]

Levy now: “Onomah first bid was like soooo embarrassing”

Duuuuude!

 

[DoneDaDa]

If you read back my post I've already said there are genuinely top class players who done well in both leagues too. But in general, stats for attacking players tend to get inflated alot in BL as compared to PL, it isn't biggest secret in football. We will just have to wait and see how Sancho performs in PL to give a fair comparison. By just using his BL stats over past few season to compare directly with Grealish stats in PL isn't even on same barometer, that's all I am saying. Also, there are alot other aspect we havn't factor in yet, such as Dortmund tend to play with higher possession than Aston Villa, their style of play is more attacking oriented, and the BL teams they are facing would give them more space to attack as compared to PL teams etc.

And I apologize for that as I saw that comment and just quoted you. I feel we’re saying the same thing just different ways. I agree with the above however.

 

[dove]

Good player but the fee is mental and I don't think they even need him that much, their team is stacked. What I don't understand is how Graelish achieved the Godlike status in England without doing anything special really and he is at the age where he should be nearly his peak.

 

[Counterfactual]

Good player but the fee is mental and I don't think they even need him that much, their team is stacked. What I don't understand is how Graelish achieved the Godlike status in England without doing anything special really and he is at the age where he should be nearly his peak.

I agree. If City pay £100m for Grealish and we pay £114m for Sancho and Varane, I think our team becomes significantly better, not theirs.

 

[OrcaFat]

I agree. If City pay £100m for Grealish and we pay £114m for Sancho and Varane, I think our team becomes significantly better, not theirs.

True but mainly because their team was already very good and ours had obvious room for improvement. In the same way, Grealish would improve us much more than he improves them. Wouldn’t put it past them to buy Grealish (partly) to stop us getting him next year.

 

[Gee Male]

I don't think looking at Grealish's goals and assists stats is particularly relevant. He's a different type of player - his best qualities are resisting the press, great ability to hold the ball under pressure which creates immediate space for others and he has the ability to release them into that space.

He is a very good player, but I honestly don't see him as a Pep player. City don't get pressed, they generally need to unlock deep defences. Sterling getting to the by line and pulling it back is classic City, I don't think that's Grealish's strength.

I might be miles off, bit I don't see how he fits in. Maybe Pep sees him as a false 9, letting De Bruyne go deeper again, I don't know. This just feels like a square peg in a non existent hole to me.

 

[mitchmouse]

I've watched him as much as any other player playing for another club. He's a very good player, is he £100m good? I'm doubtful. He seems to have become a bit of a media darling in the last year without actually improving his stats and performances too much.

City will probably be improved by him but he's definitely not De Bruyne standard in terms of the quality he will being to the team. If you were going to choose Sancho or him who would you choose? I think most people would choose the latter outside of the English media.

I think you'll find his possession stats are good - too many of our midfielders give the ball away cheaply. As for the price, well people screamed and said it was the end of the wold when Forest paid £1m for Francis - this is where we are right now. He may not be De Bruyne yet but he's 25 so he's got some of his best years to come unless something drastic happens.

the fact that we seem to be showing no interest in one of the top players in the country (one who has made little secret about liking the club) shows how far we have fallen. Fergie would have at the very least have been interested - we were always interested when a top talent became available

 

[Skills]

I don't think looking at Grealish's goals and assists stats is particularly relevant. He's a different type of player - his best qualities are resisting the press, great ability to hold the ball under pressure which creates immediate space for others and he has the ability to release them into that space.

He is a very good player, but I honestly don't see him as a Pep player. City don't get pressed, they generally need to unlock deep defences. Sterling getting to the by line and pulling it back is classic City, I don't think that's Grealish's strength.

I might be miles off, bit I don't see how he fits in. Maybe Pep sees him as a false 9, letting De Bruyne go deeper again, I don't know. This just feels like a square peg in a non existent hole to me.

Exactly, this feels like Fabregas at Barcelona. Too many players who are trying to occupy the middle of the pitch

 

[Regulus Arcturus Black]

I agree. If City pay £100m for Grealish and we pay £114m for Sancho and Varane, I think our team becomes significantly better, not theirs.

Thing is, they spent 68m on Dias last Summer, can spend 250m on 2 players this Summer on top of an already stacked squad where big money signings like Sterling, Grealish, Mahrez, Silva will often be benched.
If Grealish isn’t immediately everything they expect (like Mahrez), it’s make absolutely no difference to them, “so what” basically. Whereas we need Sancho to hit the ground running.
That’s the mental part, it’s not close to a level playing field.

 

[mitchmouse]

I don't think looking at Grealish's goals and assists stats is particularly relevant. He's a different type of player - his best qualities are resisting the press, great ability to hold the ball under pressure which creates immediate space for others and he has the ability to release them into that space.

He is a very good player, but I honestly don't see him as a Pep player. City don't get pressed, they generally need to unlock deep defences. Sterling getting to the by line and pulling it back is classic City, I don't think that's Grealish's strength.

I might be miles off, bit I don't see how he fits in. Maybe Pep sees him as a false 9, letting De Bruyne go deeper again, I don't know. This just feels like a square peg in a non existent hole to me.

or maybe getting him when he was available, knowing de bruyne will be closing on 31 by the end of the season

 

[mitchmouse]

Would be a waste to play him so deep imo. The boys an attacker

and presumably will do so once De Bruyne leaves - he will be 31 by the end of the season

 

[Gee Male]

or maybe getting him when he was available, knowing de bruyne will be closing on 31 by the end of the season

Maybe, bit I equally don't see him as a De Bruyne replacement. He never plays CM, so there's a lot of adjusting to get him in there.

 

[Strelok]

He'll flop massively there, mark my words!!!

 

[Regulus Arcturus Black]

Those startled by the fee thinking it’s huge, to them it’s not.
Those are questioning if he’ll fit it or is really needed for that outlay, it matters not to them, if he ends up like Mahrez being a bench option for some time, they give zero shits.

They are state owned and play on a completely different playing field to the rest.

 

[Red00012]

I think Grealish will flop at City, his game isn't disciplined enough to play for Pep, same reason Southgate wouldn't start him for England. He needs a mostly free role and licence to wander.

I also don't think he'll enjoy playing in a rigid system.

Southgate didn’t start him because he likes 7 defensive players on the team

 

[Pexbo]

Those startled by the fee thinking it’s huge, to them it’s not.
Those are questioning if he’ll fit it or is really needed for that outlay, it matters not to them, if he ends up like Mahrez being a bench option for some time, they give zero shits.

They are state owned and play on a completely different playing field to the rest.

They spend a lot but it tends to be across a lot of quality players. De Bryune is their record signing I think at just under £70m.

It wouldn’t be a surprise if they spend £100m on a player but it would be surprising to me if they did it twice in one window.

 

[King Kay]

£100m is a LOT of money for Grealish, Villa should take it and run. Good player but I just can't shake of the feeling it's a “Coutinho to Barca” all over again.

 

[Hammondo]

Good player but the fee is mental and I don't think they even need him that much, their team is stacked. What I don't understand is how Graelish achieved the Godlike status in England without doing anything special really and he is at the age where he should be nearly his peak.

They don't have a standout attacking player.

 

[sherrinford]

Maybe, bit I equally don't see him as a De Bruyne replacement. He never plays CM, so there's a lot of adjusting to get him in there.

De Bruyne plays centre mid in the same sense that Grealish does, and Grealish has played in basically the equivalent position to De Bruyne at City many times and excelled - it is an ideal position for him.

If anything, De Bruyne has shown he can't play in a deeper midfield position - that is not the case with Grealish, yet.

 

[DickDastardly]

They need Kane more then they need Grealish.

And that's the only good part about this deal.

Grealish is a wonderful player. He will win them games, no doubt about it.

 

[Classical Mechanic]

I don't think looking at Grealish's goals and assists stats is particularly relevant. He's a different type of player - his best qualities are resisting the press, great ability to hold the ball under pressure which creates immediate space for others and he has the ability to release them into that space.

Even so he had the joint 6th highest amount of assists in Europe's top 5 leagues last season and his xA was even higher than that. He was in the top 1% for shot creating actions. I'm sure Pep will be looking for him to become top 3 in Europe when it comes to chance creation and assists.

 

[UnitedFan93]

I get the impression that Grealish loves being the big fish in a small pond at Villa. He won't be that at City so it will be interesting to see how he does. He's a good player but I don't see him as an upgrade on any of the players they've already got.

 

[Gee Male]

De Bruyne plays centre mid in the same sense that Grealish does, and Grealish has played in basically the equivalent position to De Bruyne at City many times and excelled - it is an ideal position for him.

If anything, De Bruyne has shown he can't play in a deeper midfield position - that is not the case with Grealish, yet.

I don't agree with any part of this post, at all. I think it's mental to say De Bruyne has shown he can't play CM.

Grealish never plays CM, his most effective role is left wing as an outlet ball for a team defending deep. He hasn't shown he can do anything else because he hasn't been given the opportunity to do anything else on a consistent basis.

I can't remember Grealish playing the equivalent position to De Bruyne once, let alone many times. Villa fans will know better, but he doesn't play centrally for them from my point of view, at all.

 

[horsechoker]

I think people write off Grealish because he plays for Villa. He's been loyal to the club thus far and would be happy to stay.

He signed a new contract so that if he did leave Villa would get a big fee which could be reinvested back into the club. I wouldn't be surprised if he finishes his career at Villa either.

I don't know whether he'll fit in tactically, then again, Pep does weird things so don't be surprised if he's playing left-back or something.

 

[Regulus Arcturus Black]

They spend a lot but it tends to be across a lot of quality players. De Bryune is their record signing I think at just under £70m.

It wouldn’t be a surprise if they spend £100m on a player but it would be surprising to me if they did it twice in one window.

As I say, it’s a perception thing, they can bloat their squad with 65m player after player, with plenty spending as much time on the bench as on the pitch. But it gives the impression they aren’t spending huge.
They have a massive issue since Aguero though as they can’t conceivably replace him for anything less than 100m, so the mask is slipping.
City could buy two 150m players every Summer, but they know that’d bring questions & the big clubs would be forced to make a stand.

 

[Gee Male]

Even so he had the joint 6th highest amount of assists in Europe's top 5 leagues last season and his xA was even higher than that. He was in the top 1% for shot creating actions. I'm sure Pep will be looking for him to become top 3 in Europe when it comes to chance creation and assists.

Yep, he is a very good player. But all that creation was for a team with space in front of them, space behind the defence. Different kettle of fish playing for City, at least 95% of the time.

I'm absolutely not saying he can't do it, just that a Sterling type on the left seems to fit City better than a Grealish type for me.

 

[Dave manc]

Why can man city spend 200 mill on 2 players when it comes to ffp, especially when there own bitter fans don't turn up? Back handers spring to mind

 

[jesperjaap]

and presumably will do so once De Bruyne leaves - he will be 31 by the end of the season

Not disagreeing with what you write here at all. But interesting people mentioning they need a player to come in to replace DeBruyne over the nexrt season or two as he will be 31........yet so many feel us spending £20m+ on a right back that is already 31 is good business for us this summer.

As for Grealish, the fee is irrelevant to CIty, we hav eseen how much money they can spend, usually its on 2/3 players for £100m though. Whether he flops or improves them or not....he gives them a totally different option to what they alreay have and is one of the players of the premiership last season. I think he improves every side in the league and we seriously messed up not signing him last season. People saying he hasnt done much and should be at his peak? Erm what? He has captained his side from a young age, played well in the championship, had a very good first season in the premier league where he saved his boyhood club from relegation and was arugably the player of the season last year in the premiership and finally go tinternational recognition....People should stop being bitter becuase we arent signing him

 

[Dan_F]

I don't agree with any part of this post, at all. I think it's mental to say De Bruyne has shown he can't play CM.

Grealish never plays CM, his most effective role is left wing as an outlet ball for a team defending deep. He hasn't shown he can do anything else because he hasn't been given the opportunity to do anything else on a consistent basis.

I can't remember Grealish playing the equivalent position to De Bruyne once, let alone many times. Villa fans will know better, but he doesn't play centrally for them from my point of view, at all.

Agree with you completely. Same with the people that thought we’d somehow replace Pogba with Grealish. I’m interested to see how he adapts to Pep though.

The thing that hasn’t been spoken about at all is Sterling. The end of last season he was apparently really unhappy at being rotated, his form obviously wasn’t great up until the Euros. There doesn’t seem to be any outgoing rumours, but it would free up space in Grealish’s favoured position.

 

[Yakuza_devils]

Grealish 100mil and Kane 160mil. FFP still alive?

City really set the bar too high for others even we just signed Sancho and Varane.

 

[dal]

Grealish will be a phenomenon there. I don’t think Pep has ever failed to get a player to press.

Aguero, De Bruyne, Silva, Mahrez. Grealish will aswell however even if he doesn’t he will still play.

I’d still keep Stirling though if I was citeh, Grealish, Mahrez and Sterling as wing options is absolutely insane.

 

[Man-United]

Many Villa fans seem angry over this and not too happy with Grealish if he leaves. What's the Villa fans on here's feelings on him if he leaves?

 

[Regulus Arcturus Black]

Many Villa fans seem angry over this and not too happy with Grealish if he leaves. What's the Villa fans on here's feelings on him if he leaves?

Most fans get angry when their best player leaves, but most Villa fans aren’t idiots, they are fully aware the Jack will need to leave at some point.

 

[Leftback99]

They spend a lot but it tends to be across a lot of quality players. De Bryune is their record signing I think at just under £70m.

It wouldn’t be a surprise if they spend £100m on a player but it would be surprising to me if they did it twice in one window.

Once they've broke the barrier once does it really matter if they do it twice? I've expected them to sign Grealish and Kane all summer.

 

[Regulus Arcturus Black]

Once they've broke the barrier once does it really matter if they do it twice? I've expected them to sign Grealish and Kane all summer.

I think what he hasn’t realised is that City have been successful with their strategy of buying for big money and buying many, rather than buying for huge money. It’s a strategy that has also allowed them to pretend they don’t spend huge sums, because “their record buy is under 70m”.

I’m not gonna quite sure they have that option now mind, if they want an Aguero replacement, they are gonna have to spend huge money. Soon they’ll need to replace KDB and once again I’d be amazed if they could do that without huge money.
If City need to spend huge, they will.

* Haaland next Summer is obviously perfect for City to buy a striker for a cheaper price, but given the option of Kane or Haaland, I think Pep picks Kane every day of the week.

 

[mu4c_20le]

Many Villa fans seem angry over this and not too happy with Grealish if he leaves. What's the Villa fans on here's feelings on him if he leaves?

From a villa forum:

Why the f*** has Jack felt the need to go on holiday for the best part of 3 weeks, only to then come back and tell us he isn’t coming back - 2 weeks before the start of the season.

I get it, transfers are complicated and drawn out affairs but has Jack, self confessed super fan, managed this the right way? The way you’d manage it if you loved the club?

I have no idea how this will play out but if we accept £100m and Grealish leaves, it’s f***** bullsh*t and Jack is just another footballer who had a couple of decent seasons in a Villa shirt.

Villa fan? My arse.

They have a point

 

[RkkMan]

I think you'll find his possession stats are good - too many of our midfielders give the ball away cheaply. As for the price, well people screamed and said it was the end of the wold when Forest paid £1m for Francis - this is where we are right now. He may not be De Bruyne yet but he's 25 so he's got some of his best years to come unless something drastic happens.

the fact that we seem to be showing no interest in one of the top players in the country (one who has made little secret about liking the club) shows how far we have fallen. Fergie would have at the very least have been interested - we were always interested when a top talent became available

How do you know we weren't interested but after assessment concluded he wasn't a viable investment considering
1. His best positions are not £100m holes in our team(LW/No10)
2. A younger player with a MUCH higher ceiling in Sancho, that happens to be a long term target and more natural at RW was available for less(and he's another player Fergie would have pulled all stops to sign BTW)
3. There were other positions we needed to address like CB(Varane) and potentially DM which would have been hindered by spending £100m on one player
And if you were here you'd know Grealish was a target last year and we'd have gotten him if Goal Line Technology worked but Villa's survival priced him out of a move. You simply can't have them all and we've not missed out on anything as we've signed Sancho who's one of the best U23s in World Football and a top 10 CB in the world in Varane for the fee we'd have gotten a square peg in a round hole for

 

[SER19]

Will any journalist press guardiola on his claims that city can't afford big fees, after their second 100m bid in a matter of weeks

 

[Leftback99]

I think what he hasn’t realised is that City have been successful with their strategy of buying for big money and buying many, rather than buying for huge money. It’s a strategy that has also allowed them to pretend they don’t spend huge sums, because “their record buy is under 70m”.

I’m not gonna quite sure they have that option now mind, if they want an Aguero replacement, they are gonna have to spend huge money. Soon they’ll need to replace KDB and once again I’d be amazed if they could do that without huge money.
If City need to spend huge, they will.

* Haaland next Summer is obviously perfect for City to buy a striker for a cheaper price, but given the option of Kane or Haaland, I think Pep picks Kane every day of the week.

I think it's been convenient for them up to now that they havent had to break the record for players that they have wanted rather than them specifically choosing not to do it. Like you say, they haven't had to replace their star attackers, recruited well and when fees were cheaper.