Jack Grealish has been having a solid season for the relegation candidates, Aston Villa, registering seven goals and six assists in 25 games in the Premier League this season.
What Jack Grealish Could Offer United
Replacing Pogba
If Manchester United were to bring in Grealish it would likely be due to Paul Pogba leaving the club. The Villa captain would have a difficult position to fill, but he has the ability and mentality to be a great asset at United.
Grealish is a good fit for the position that Pogba has previously played. He drifts left naturally from the middle and naturally links up with the left-back and left-wing – which Pogba so often does when he plays at United with Luke Shaw and Marcus Rashford.
Grealish is the primary creative outlet for Aston Villa – being directly involved in 38% of the side’s goals in the Premier League this season. This is very similar to Pogba, who has been United’s primary creative outlet for the past 3 years.
Leadership and Versatility
United have brought in two leaders in Harry Maguire and Bruno Fernandes in the past two windows. Jack Grealish would add more needed leadership to the side, he is captain of Villa.
Although Grealish is not the loudest player on the pitch, he leads by example. He guides players through the match, similar to Bruno Fernandes. After not having a real leader at the club since Wayne Rooney left in 2017, United could have multiple in the dressing room come September.
Grealish would most likely operate in the midfield with Fernandes but the player can also operate on both wings. This would help United in their depth on the wings as well as in the midfield.
Grealish’s Ability
It is clear that the English midfielder is talented with the ball at his feet, his lack of pace is not important as he can keep the ball glued to his foot. He also has great awareness of when pressure is coming and where to position himself to ensure he wins a free-kick. He has been fouled 122 times this campaign – the most of any player in the Premier League this season.
The Aston Villa man also has a great set-piece delivery and this would give the Reds options from set-pieces as Fernandes seems to be the only player capable of playing a good cross in from a corner or free-kick.
Grealish consistently finds dangerous passes in and around the box. He has 2.8 key passes per game this season, compared Paul Pogba last season, who averaged 1.6 key passes per game. Having another creative outlet from midfield would increase United’s chances to break down the low blocks which they struggle against.
Although he looks for the defense splitting pass, Grealish also has great composure and decision making to ensure he finds a pass and keeps possession if the chance to play through is not on. He has 84% pass accuracy this season, which is impressive considering how he plays.
A Good Addition
It is clear that Grealish would be a solid addition to the side, while still being just 24 with time to improve his game further. He could definitely be an important piece in the rebuild for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer if he was to join the Red Devils.
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