Bernardo Silva is unlikely to be the only Manchester City player directly impacted by Jack Grealish’s £100m British transfer record move from Aston Villa, according to The Athletic.
Pep Guardiola’s side completed the England international’s mammoth move to the Etihad Stadium on Thursday. He signed a six-year deal with the Citizens and will wear the number 10 jersey vacated by Sergio Aguero, after he departed the Premier League champions.
Silva may be one of the next stars to now leave Manchester City with Grealish joining. The Athletic note the Citizens hierarchy expect to sell the Portuguese, who The Sun reported is the only high-ticket asset who has to go to also fund a pursuit of Tottenham’s Harry Kane.
Atletico Madrid are ready to bid for Silva with Manchester City open to offers, according to Mundo Deportivo. The La Liga champions admire what the 26-year-old can offer under Diego Simeone should Saul Niguez leave the Wanda Metropolitano.
But Silva is unlikely to be the only Manchester City player who finds their role has changed after Grealish joined. Guardiola is expected to rotate the former Aston Villa captain with Ilkay Gundogan in a number eight position next season.
Grealish often occupied a wide-left role at Villa Park as the talisman of Dean Smith’s plans. But the 25-year-old prefers a more central position and Guardiola will afford him the opportunities to prove his talent there.
Grealish offered all six of his Premier League goals and nine of his 12 assists from the left-wing last season. His remaining three assists came from a central position, including during a 2-1 defeat at Manchester United when setting Bertrand Traore for an initial equaliser.
Grealish to Manchester City to impact Gundogan, as well as Silva
Gundogan would have felt confident with his Manchester City role before Grealish’s arrival, irrespective of Silva, after impressing last season. The £140,000-per-week German was the Citizens’ top-scorer with 13 Premier League goals, plus three assists, over 28 appearances.
The 30-year-old started 23 of his outings, as well, while captaining the side against Aston Villa in April. Gundogan stepped up for Manchester City when they needed him, but will now find Grealish snapping at his heels.
If Manchester City also now sign a striker to replace Aguero, Gundogan and Silva may find their roles evaporated. Grealish will likely offer more creativity than the pair if he replicates his left-wing performances in the middle. And Guardiola may not need Gundogan’s goals.
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