Graeme Souness reignites Jack Grealish rivalry: “He needs to have a look at himself”
Graeme Souness has told Jack Grealish he needs to have a “close look at himself” after losing his place as Manchester City’s first-choice left winger in recent weeks.
Grealish, 28, returned to Pep Guardiola’s starting XI for City’s Champions League game against RB Leipzig on Tuesday after missing the 1-1 draw with Liverpool through illness. However, the ex-Aston Villa star was hooked just minutes into the second-half after failing to impress.
Doku, who has starred since his £55.5million summer move from Rennes, came on for Grealish and helped change the game for City as they came from behind to win 3-2. The 21-year-old has started in each of the last three Premier League fixtures, scoring once and grabbing four assists in the recent 6-1 win over Bournemouth.
Given his excellent form, it seems as though Doku is ahead of Grealish in the pecking order at the Etihad Stadium. With that in mind, former Liverpool midfielder Souness has admitted Grealish should be “very concerned” about his current predicament, despite winning the treble last season.
“Ask 10 full-backs if they’d rather play against Doku or Grealish, and I think it would be Grealish every time,” Souness told the Daily Mail. “Defenders don’t like pace and players who are direct. The way it is today, you dangle a leg and that’s a penalty. Grealish isn’t showing any intent to get by defenders.
“He is, for me, at a crossroads in his City career. Doku is 21 years old and is only going to improve. Jack is 28. He needs to have a close look at himself. He should be in his pomp. Between 26 and 30 you have the knowledge, you’re physically and mentally stronger. He will not be getting any better. This should be his time.
