The Villa manager believes his star prospect is best-suited to the number 10 position and wants him to keep learning from experienced teammate Joe Cole.
Aston Villa teenager Jack Grealish has all the attributes to be a perfect number 10, manager Tim Sherwood has told the club’s official website.
Grealish, 19, struggled to keep himself in former boss Paul Lambert’s plans after earning his first-team breakthrough at the start of the season but has since flourished under Sherwood’s guidance, helping the team claim upset wins over Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool.
The former trainee has received rave reviews during his current run of four consecutive starts and, having been moved from the flanks to a more central role, the Villa boss believes that is where his long-term future lies.
“I see Jack as a No.10,” said Sherwood. “That’s the area I think we can get him on it more than anywhere. I don’t think he has let anyone down in that situation.
“He is a friend of the football. He loves to manipulate it. If you get him on it as much as possible then he will affect the opposition. That’s what I try and do.
“He feels like he can take on the world. He looks like he can.”
In addition, Sherwood is keen for Grealish to keep learning from veteran teammate Joe Cole, who has taken the emerging attacker under his wing since arriving at the club in the summer.
At age 33, the ex-England international’s career might be winding down now but, with skill in abundance and three Premier League winner’s medals from his time at Chelsea, Sherwood believes he is the perfect role model for his star prospect.
“You go in that canteen most days and you see Joe Cole talking to Jack Grealish,” he added. “Joe can offer some very valuable experience for Jack. Joe is a massive influence on him. He has a good football mind.
“If Jack can have a career like Joe has had, he won’t have done too badly. It’s good to have a role model, it’s crucial.”
With Grealish expected to earn a fifth straight start for the weekend’s visit of Everton, the Birmingham-native will have another chance to showcase what he’s learnt from his new mentor, as Villa bid to put some distance between themselves and their relegation rivals with four top-flight matches left.
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