Paul Merson tips Pep Guardiola to sell Jack Grealish after a poor debut season at Manchester City
Posted by  badge Boss on May 06, 2022 - 07:30AM
Jack Grealish moved to Manchester City for a record-breaking £105m last summer (Photo: Getty)

Former star Paul Merson has claimed that could sell their record signing after an underwhelming debut season at the club.

Grealish moved from to the Etihad last summer for £105million, making him the most expensive Premier League player ever, and the seventh costliest of all-time.

However, his first season in City blue has been somewhat disappointing, as while his underlying stats are good, the 26-year-old has managed just two goals and two assists in the league this season.

‘I had a feeling it would be like this – I didn’t get the move to Man City,’ Merson wrote in his column for .

‘He’s a top player, I’m a big fan of Jack. From the age of six he’s been taught to get the ball, dribble with it and beat everybody.

Paul Merson says he was never convinced Grealish would work at City (Photo: Sky Sports)

‘Then he comes through the ranks, gets into the Villa team and keeps doing that, and then goes to a team that is all pass, pass, pass.

‘20 years he’s been taught one way and now he’s got to stop doing that and pass the ball. And it’s hard.’

The attacking midfielder could still end the season with his first Premier League winner’s medal however, with City top of the table with four games to go, but only a point ahead of Liverpool.

But ultimately this will have been a disappointing season for the Citizens, having failed to defend the Carabao Cup as well as getting knocked out of the FA Cup and Champions League semi-finals, the latter in a late and embarrassing capitulation to Real Madrid on Wednesday night.

Grealish has previously said that he is not fazed by his lack of direct goal contributions this campaign and that he is enjoying learning a new style of play under Pep Guardiola.

But Merson is not so convinced and has warned the England international that if he does not adapt quicker, his stay in Manchester could be very short.

‘He might turn round and say he’s loving every minute, but I think he’s finding it difficult at the moment,’ Merson added.

‘They [the other City players] want to pass and they all know what they’re doing. They have a plan, and he doesn’t play that way.

‘He gets on the ball, and he wants to beat people, now he’s got to change that at 26 years of age. I don’t think he’s going to get used to doing it.

‘I think they might sell him. Maybe not this summer, but Pep is one of the best coaches in the world and he won’t want to be seen to be unable to change a player. It’ll be interesting.’

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