Jack Grealish experienced yet another polarising week following his England Under-21 indiscretion – but what does the future hold for the Aston Villa star?
Will the real Jack Grealish please stand up?
To compound a disappointing season at club level for Grealish, this past week saw the Aston Villa winger axed from the England Under-21 team ahead of their game with Denmark – with manager Aidy Boothroyd taking the hard line with the 21-year-old following reports, as per the Daily Mail, that Grealish turned up late for a team meeting.
This is not the first time that the former Republic of Ireland Under-21 international has been the source of debate – with previous misdemeanors infamously following him throughout his career.
Contrary to popular belief, Grealish is not all villain though – with several less-exposed generosities permeating his well documented controversies.
For instance, the protege, who burst on the scene at Villa Park under Tim Sherwood’s tutelage, was pictured in a t-shirt in memory of brave toddler Charlie Round – the young Villa fan who sadly lost his fight against cancer on Friday – whilst warming-up with another Villa academy graduate, Andre Green, ahead of their game with Norwich City at the weekend.
In addition to the admirable gesture, the Daily Mail previously reported that Grealish had donated £515 towards a treatment fund for Charlie. Further, it is believed that Grealish has spent a large part of his own time visiting less fortunate children, providing gifts and even taking the time to play games of FIFA with his young fans.
However, it is abundantly clear that it is Grealish’s headline-grabbing antics that have taken the focus away from his generous nature on far too many occasions.
Fast forward to this season. The talented winger’s experience of Championship football is a fine microcosm of Villa’s inconsistencies since dropping from the Premier League. Grealish has made Villa’s starting XI on just 18 occasions and has been suspended for more games than he has goals this campaign.
The wide man, who showed significant potential upon breaking into the first team under former boss Sherwood, has cut a divisive figure having been the focus of further indiscipline this season – as the BBC reported that the 21-year-old was subject to an internal investigation by the club earlier in the campaign, in addition to being suspended for violent conduct after a Championship clash with Wolves in October.
Whether Grealish reaches his vast potential remains to be seen, but many a Villa supporter will be hoping that the talented local boy can put his so far colourful career back on track and turn into a Holte End hero for years to come – including helping the Midlanders to a return to the promised land of the Premier League as soon as possible.
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