Gabby Agbonlahor has compared Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish to Barcelona legend Andrés Iniesta on talkSPORT.
The ex-Villa striker – who recorded 391 appearances for the club – made the bold statement on Wednesday afternoon, just a day after Grealish signed a new five-year deal with the Villans.
He said: ‘It’s the movement of the body. A little movement and he’s gone. He reminds me a bit of… Iniesta, in his prime’.
Some may scoff at this comparison, given the four-time Champions League winner’s status in the game.
However, Agbonlahor is merely comparing playing styles, and it is hard to argue against the fact that Grealish does glide around the pitch in similar fashion to the Spain legend.
Nevertheless, it is mightily high praise indeed.
Iniesta enjoyed a hugely successful career with Barcelona.
The 36-year-old won nine La Liga titles, six Copa del Rey trophies and four Champions League medals while also finishing second, fourth and third in the Ballon d’Or in 2010, 2011 and 2012 respectively.
For Agbonlahor to make such a comparison speaks volumes.
The statement was made just a day after Grealish netted a superb volley straight from a corner against Burton in the Carabao Cup.
It was a game in which he absolutely pulled the strings, with one superb pass in the build-up to Ollie Watkins’ goal even confusing his own player, Neil Taylor.
Amid such praiseworthy comparisons, let’s just hope the England international keeps his feet on the ground.
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