Former Liverpool and Manchester United forward Michael Owen has questioned Manchester City's decision to sign Jack Grealish. Owen has labelled Grealish 'exceptional' but holds concerns over whether his style of play is a positive match with Pep Guardiola's.
Jack Grealish cost Man City £100million. (Image: GETTY)
Owen is in awe of Grealish's ability but has suggested he won't reach his full potential at Man City because his traits don't flawlessly suit Guardiola's style of play.
He told BT Sport: "I'm a big fan of Jack Grealish full stop - I love him, brilliant player. He's brave, he takes the ball under pressure, he's exceptional.
"He'll be a success because he's a very good player in a very good team, but will he be as good as he could possibly be in a different team? Then maybe not.
"I just think that he doesn't necessarily suit perfectly to Manchester City. I see Grealish as somebody, certainly at Villa, [who] takes the ball from deep.
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"He's strong and confident, and he'd run 40, 50 yards. He'd be tugged back; he'd get a freekick. He's the most fouled player in the Premier League by a mile.
"[But], I don't think Manchester City want freekicks. It's put the ball down, 'let's start again' - they just want quick, fast, intricate passes.
"They don't want a freekick and then just chip it into the box to the heads of a load of five foot five players - it's not really their game.
"Grealish takes a touch all the time. He takes a touch, he slows it down, runs at players. He's fantastic, he will be successful, he will create chances, but I don't think he fits like a glove."
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Jack Grealish joined Man City for silverware. (Image: EXPRESS)