This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…
Despite failing to earn the trust of England boss Gareth Southgate, Manchester United are reportedly preparing a January move for Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish. But would a move to Old Trafford really be of benefit to the Villans’ midfield maestro?
Two goals and three assists following promotion to the Premier League: the last six months and this seasonhave marked substantial milestones in the career of Villa’s playmaker who is truly starting to put his stamp on the top-flight.
Having captained his boyhood club to the top tier of English football, Grealish has impressed in his 10 league games so far this season, but consequently 13-time Premier League champions Manchester United could look to test the resolve of Villa owners Wes Edens and Nassef Sawiris in January, according to reports from ESPN.
Whilst a move to one of English football’s most successful teams could seem appealing – as well as the prospect of European football – Grealish is at a crossroads in his career whereby consistent minutes and playing time within the starting XI will be fundamental to his progression; particularly if the 24-year-old is to convince Gareth Southgate is he worthy of a spot in the England squad.
Moving to United would be a gamble for the playmaker, with the plethora of attacking talent at Ole Gunnar Solsjkaer’s disposal meaning there is no guarantee of regular playing time, competing with the likes of Daniel James, Juan Mata and Andreas Pereira for a starting berth.
That’s not even bringing the injured Paul Pogba into the equation. He’s very much United’s flagship entity and one can only hazard a guess at how both the Frenchman and Grealish would fit into the same midfield without stepping on each other’s toes.
Regardless of United’s potential investment in him, the Villa star will unlikely be earning a starting berth ahead of a World Cup winner and former world-record signing; he’ll need to adapt his game around Pogba’s if he’s going to be a success at Old Trafford.
And given the crucial junction that Grealish finds himself at in the 2019/20 campaign with regards to taking the step up to international football, this is not the time for a move to Manchester despite the financial and footballing attractions that may lie at Old Trafford.
Mason Mount, Ross Barkley, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Maddison all represent fierce competition to be the creative outlet in England’s midfield, and Grealish is far better off proving his credentials within a team that’s already built to try and get the best out of him, rather than finding himself shoehorned in elsewhere.
At Villa, Grealish is one of the first names on the team sheet under Dean Smith, having started all of the games he has been fit for this season, and to give that up mid-way through the current campaign would represent a sizeable risk for the 24-year-old; a risk with a price that Grealish simply cannot afford to pay.
Perhaps Grealish is destined to ply his trade at the very top of the Premier League, but this January really isn’t the time for him to find out.
