Jack Grealish responds to Graeme Souness criticism after outspoken pundit insists he’s not ‘convinced’ by Aston Villa captain
Jack Grealish responded on social media after Graeme Souness said he 'wasn't convinced' by the Aston Villa captain.
While working as a pundit for Sky Sports for Villa's 2-0 defeat by Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, Souness offered a damning assessment of Grealish - questioning the quality of the midfielder's distribution among other things.
“I would not want to have been the most fouled player in the Premier League," said Souness of Grealish. "That means I’m holding onto the ball too long, I’m taking extra touches when I don’t need to.
“It means you’re not seeing the picture quickly enough. There’s no doubt about it. He’s easy on the eye, he’s silky on the eye, but I’m yet to be convinced by him.”
There was much push-back against Souness' comments, especially as Grealish has been Villa's standout performer this season and arguably one of the best in the Premier League with seven goals and six assists to his name.
And the 24-year-old himself got involved in the criticism of Souness, writing that he 'can't please everyone' as he shared a post detailing his excellent chance creation record in the top-flight this term.
Grealish is second to only Kevin De Bruyne, the Man City ace, in terms of creating goalscoring chances this Premier League campaign, with 80 chances created ranking him ahead of stars such as James Maddison of Leicester and Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Grealish has been a shining light in what has been a disappointing return to the Premier League for Dean Smith’s side.
Despite a spirited effort to keep Liverpool at bay, the champions ultimately had too much for Villa, who look destined to return to the Championship with no Premier League win in their past nine matches.
Should their relegation become a reality, Grealish will be expected to leave Villa Park at the end of the season.
Manchester United have been consistently linked with a move for the playmaker in recent months, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said to be an admirer.