Alan Shearer has criticised Jack Grealish for ‘playing safe’ against Brentford and admits he is waiting for see the £100million signing recapture his blistering Aston Villa form.
Manchester City moved eight points clear at the top of the Premier League after beating Brentford 1-0 following a moment of brilliance from Phil Foden. However, Shearer couldn’t help but talk about Grealish.
The former England international wants to see Grealish ‘express himself’ more at Manchester City and play without fear after breaking the all-time British transfer record in the summer.
Alan Shearer has criticised Jack Grealish for ‘playing safe’ against Brentford on Wednesday
Manchester City moved eight points clear at the top of the Premier League after beating Brentford 1-0 following a moment of brilliance from Phil Foden
Grealish – who was deployed as a false nine – has been criticised regularly for his performances since joining the Citizens. Many people believe he has lost the flare that made him so exciting to watch.
Speaking about his display against Brentford, Shearer said Grealish played ‘simple’ and that he failed to impose himself as the danger-man.
During Amazon Prime’s post-match analysis, Shearer said: ‘Everything Grealish did was safe and simple.
However, Shearer couldn’t help but talk about Grealish – he wants the star to ‘express himself’
He also wants Grealish play without fear after breaking the all-time British transfer record
‘It looked as if he was scared to lose possession and take a gamble. That hasn’t come from Pep as he gives his players the confidence to take players on.
He went on to say: ‘I understand Grealish is doing his job defensively when they don’t have the ball. But in this Manchester City team there is room for him to express himself more.
‘He was the danger man at Aston Villa. He went past two or three people and won a foul or a got a shot. But he was too safe today.
‘He only played four or five-yard passes all night. He should be saying he wants to be the star in this team.
‘They’ve paid £100m for me. It’s not my fault they have paid that but I am going to show you my quality.’
Ally McCoist agreed by saying that Grealish was ‘taking the easy option all the time’
Ally McCoist agreed with Shearer’s remarks, saying: ‘Grealish was taking the easy option all the time.
‘He is so good as running past people but he wouldn’t do it. He would just play it back. He has the license to go and make things happen but he didn’t.
‘He hasn’t been a major disappointment. But we haven’t seen him do the things we’ve seen him do at Aston Villa.
‘Technically he’s very good, he’s passing well and keeping the ball well but we want to see that little step over.’
