Jack Grealish defended by ex-Aston Villa team-mate as Man City fan urges Pep Guardiola to bench him and start Phil Foden instead
Gabby Agbonlahor defends Jack Grealish after a Manchester City fan begged Pep Guardiola to take him off the starting line-up.
The former Aston Villa star was part of the City side that was held 1-1 by Everton at the Etihad Stadium last weekend.
As a result, Pep Guardiola’s title hopes have been dented, and Arsenal look unstoppable in their current form.
Guardiola made full use of his first team and started with Rico Lewis, Nathan Ake, Riyad Mahrez and Grealish in his XI, leaving Kyle Walker, Joao Cancelo, Phil Foden and Julian Alvarez on the bench.
But despite being held at 1-1, it wasn’t until the 87th minute that Ilkay Gundogan, England star Foden and World Cup winner Alvarez were brought onto the pitch.
It was a disappointing performance from the entire Man City squad against Frank Lampard’s Toffees, but Grealish’s £100m price tag means he has a target on his back.
In reality, however, it was a poor performance from the England playmaker who failed to create chances for his team.
One Man City supporter Jack called talkSPORT’s Gameday Phone-In with Jamie O’Hara and Gabby Agbonlahor, and he wasn’t in a good mood.
As part of a long diatribe about Guardiola’s late replacements, he took aim at Grealish and insisted enough was enough.
He told talkSPORT: “Jack Grealish, don’t get me started on him.
Start Phil Foden. Please Pep, just throw in Phil Foden.
“Foden is the most talented young player in this country and he will leave him on the bench until there are three minutes left.
“I had enough!”
However, responding to criticism from his friend and former Aston Villa teammate, Agbonlahor defended Grealish.
The former Villa captain said: “I thought Jack had done well.
“I think Mahrez was poor. I had brought Foden before Mahrez.
‘But it’s Pep [who is to blame]he makes his subs late.
It is not the first time Agbonlahor has defended Grealish amid heavy criticism over his performance at City.
Earlier this year, talkSPORT host Jamie O’Hara compared it to when Roy Keane defends ‘friend’ Cristiano Ronaldo and admitted that Grealish is proving poor value for money.
“Jack Grealish is a great player, but he’s not producing – it’s as simple as that,” said the former Tottenham midfielder.
“I really like Jack, I have nothing against him, but he keeps getting substituted early in games, he doesn’t score goals and he doesn’t provide assists.
“You pay 100 million pounds for a player who doesn’t perform. I’m just saying what I see.
Sport
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