sherrinford
Full Member
- Joined
- Jan 3, 2017
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- 1,265
I disagree about positionally proving he’s good enough to take Silvas position. Sane in the LW absolutely.
I think you’d really see the difference in passing quality which is what City need more than a dribbler.
As I said I don’t really see how it’s debatable when he has came into this season off the back of what was widely regarded as the best season of his career, and in which he was considered to have matured as a player and was appointed captain, playing in essentially the same (but slightly less extreme) role that Silva has played in for this Man City team once Smith came in as manager (in October).
If anything, Grealish is more proven in performing the requirements of the Silva role than the Sane role at City - the obligation to stretch the pitch from the left wing in Guardiola’s side is at odds with how Grealish has interpreted that position. He likes that inside left area, wants the ball into feet and wants options and runners around him - in City’s side that is certainly the left-of-centre no.8 position.
I think you would see a dip in quality purely because Silva was a fantastic player. Grealish does hold onto the ball for longer than your typical playmaker but he is an excellent passer. I’m not sure why you think they would need more of a ‘passer’ than he is - ultimately he excels at progressing the play from that area which is exactly what’s needed.