David James: Trophies will define Jack Grealish's Man City success
Rather than the expense of his transfer, David James believes that Jack Grealish's Manchester City success will be defined by trophies at home and abroad.
David James
believes
Jack Grealishwill be a good addition for
Manchester City, even if the former England goalkeeper isn't convinced the playmaker has lived up to his record-breaking price tag. Grealish joined the Premier League champions from
Aston Villafor £100 million last year, making him the most expensive British transfer of all time.
While the 26-year-old has not been at his best since his time at Villa, he has made 31 appearances in all competitions, starting 26 of them. Only four goals have been scored in those matches, and
Pep Guardiola
is happy to use Grealish as a rotation option with City still in contention for a domestic and European treble.
Despite Grealish's high price tag, ex-City man James believes that assisting in the delivery of additional silverware will make the move worthwhile. "You can't ignore the money," James said in an interview with Stats Perform. "However, there would be no monetary worth or price tag that could be used to argue whether the signing was good or bad. This season, Grealish has played a significant role in Manchester City's games. They're top of the league, in the
Champions League
quarter-finals, and in the FA Cup semi-finals.
"Jack Grealish has been a part of it. He's a member of a team that's now having a lot of success. It's an excellent signing." Grealish had a direct hand in 16 Premier League goals last season at Villa (six goals, ten assists), but he has only four this season (two goals, two assists). Last season in the Premier League, he created 81 opportunities in total, averaging 3.3 per 90 minutes. So far this season, that number has reduced to 43.
But, according to James, the transition has revealed new aspects of Grealish's game, such as the need to become more of a team player in a club full of superstars. "What I admire about Jack is that he has a different side to his game than he did [at] Aston Villa," he continued. "It was almost as though they needed Jack to make Aston Villa operate, as powerful as he was. City does not require the same way. Manchester City does not require Jack's presence in order to function.
"He needs to be a part of a larger team, which I believe he has accomplished. I believe he was a successful signing. If City are to win the league, [if] they are to win the Champions League, [and] if they are to win the
FA Cup
, then having Jack Grealish at the club will be a significant part of that."
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