Gabriel Agbonlahor believes Jack Grealish should leave Manchester City due to his treatment under Pep Guardiola, while another pundit has suggested an ideal destination for the former Aston Villa star.
Grealish joined Man City from Villa in August 2021 for £100 million, with expectations that he would flourish under Guardiola’s guidance. While he has won three Premier League titles, an FA Cup, and a Champions League trophy, he has struggled to cement a regular starting spot.
This season, the 29-year-old has started just six Premier League matches and four Champions League games. Former Villa striker and talkSPORT pundit Agbonlahor argues that Guardiola does not fully trust Grealish and that the playmaker should seek a club where he will play consistently.
“He loves football, so this season will be hurting him,” Agbonlahor said on talkSPORT. “In the PSG game, he came on and scored—you could see the anger in him, like ‘I don’t want to be on the bench; I want to start games.’
“It’s tough to leave a club like City, given the success he’s had, but I want to see him playing every week with a manager who trusts him. He’s 29, he’s got a lot to offer, and I’m sure he’ll evaluate his options this summer.”
Agbonlahor added that with Guardiola now favoring players like Omar Marmoush, Jeremy Doku, Savinho, and Phil Foden, Grealish may need to move elsewhere to secure regular football, especially with the World Cup next year.
Grealish Linked with Saudi Pro League Move
Former Villa striker Stan Collymore believes Grealish could move to the Saudi Pro League, as he doubts any top-four Premier League club would sign him.
“Jack might end up in Saudi because I don’t see a top four, five, or six club taking him,” Collymore told Goal in February. “Wages and fees would be an issue for the top teams. Newcastle or Villa would likely go for younger, hungrier players, while clubs like Bournemouth or Brighton couldn’t afford him.
“I could see him at a club like West Ham because they have the financial backing and the pull of London, but I’m sure Unai Emery won’t be looking at bringing him back to Villa.”
