England manager Gareth Southgate believes former Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish has improved his overall game since moving to Manchester City this summer.
Speaking to the press via the Manchester Evening News ahead of tonight’s FIFA World Cup qualifier against Hungary, the Three Lions boss believes that the 26-year-old playmaker has significantly approved his consistency, off-the-ball work and confidence this season.
Grealish became the most expensive British player of all time during the off-season as City paid £100m for the England international. And the former Villa star has been impressive.
The winger has started every Premier League and UEFA Champions league for Pep Guardiola’s side this campaign. And Grealish is looking comfortable for the Manchester giants.
Indeed, the former Villa star has only managed two goals and two assists in ten appearances for City. However, England manager Southgate has been left impressed by Grealish so far this season.
The England boss said: “He’s gained some confidence being with this group, the confidence of having a big club play a lot of money for him. I wouldn’t say he’s necessarily a far better player than he was because he was a great player for Aston Villa. That’s why we picked him.”
Villa fans take offence
As you would guess, Villa fans were not too pleased about what Southgate had to say about Grealish, with the England manager causing some supporters to fume on social media.
Here’s what some Villa fans had to say about Southgate’s comments on England star Grealish on Twitter…
https://twitter.com/AvfcTalkTime/status/1447890653392875520
https://twitter.com/GarySmithJnr/status/1447881338787438595
https://twitter.com/Conradreturns_7/status/1447904769205575689
https://twitter.com/ChicoPants/status/1447890156451778566
https://twitter.com/norrisland33/status/1447917636923412483
https://twitter.com/Danosaur1/status/1447912548809027586
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