I can’t believe I’m saying this, but it seems to me that Jack Grealish’s move away from the Villa is beginning to look inevitable.
I’m looking at this from a fan’s, owner’s and indeed the player’s point of view, so let’s break it down.
The owners, even though they’re minted, still have to make the books look better come the winter.
I’ve previously stated that we should wait and maybe sell Grealish then, as it could work in our favour.
But there’s also the case that we could end up in a weaker position, if we’re struggling in the league.
So, selling Grealish might make sense if you’re being pragmatic and want to bring players in, in this window.
There’s still the backlash that they’d face from us fans, but would re-signing Snodgrass on loan compensate partly?
It might for some, but it wouldn’t for me, as much as I eventually liked Snoddy.
As for us fans, I’m sure we’d all be gutted if Jack left us now.
While I’ve seen some say that Grealish really ought to be playing for a Champions league side, do we really think that he’d walk into the Spurs first eleven?
How about Chelsea who supposedly are now interested? Would he walk in there?
I very much doubt it, myself.
My opinion says yes, he will be entitled to have a go in a top side.
But he isn’t yet proven enough at the top level and should go just another season with us, where he’ll be a better all round player.
Whatever you think of Bruce, there’s no doubt the lad came on leaps and bounds last season.
Think how he could continue to improve and how it might further his value.
Of course, there’s the risk that he might get seriously crocked in the Championship.
But better, more cynical Prem defenders leave him open to that risk too.
But I suppose he’d have the fat contract in the bag, if he does leave.
Which is what it’s all about, at the end of the day.
No doubt Jack’s advisors (his dad and brother?) have his interests at heart, while still being Villa fans.
Look, if someone said to you “work here at x amount for the next 4 years, or work here at twice the money for the next 4 years”, what would you do?
At my (bordering old age), I’d take double the money, even if the job was utter rubbish.
And I’m the loyal type.
While we’re talking massive numbers for top footballers, I still believe the same sort of thing applies.
As a footballer, you can get a career-threatening injury at a stroke.
So do you take £4 million over four years, or £8-12 million?
It’s a no-brainer.
I firmly believe Jack would have our blessing if he gave it another half a season and then decided to leave.
But as a Villa fan, I believe he should stay, to see how it goes.
Just for that 6 months.
After all, he’s still only 22 and there’s plenty of time.
But my guess is that his head has indeed been turned already.
I’ve no doubt there’s stuff going on in the background and I’d bet there’s a low-ball offer on the plate already, which the club have probably laughed off.
And said “let’s get serious”.
The part that concerns me, is that Jack hasn’t commented.
Of course, he can’t really be seen to be saying anything, but the lack of “we’re up for it” type comments tells me this is truly up in the air.
Jack, you’re one of us mate.
Give it just another 6 months.
Please.
Addendum;
How would we feel about a buy and loan back, for a season?
I’d suggest there’s legs in that.
Comments
122 responses to “I’m sadly resigned to losing Grealish”
50-50 now, for me.
Please note the addendum.
Agree – 50/50 for me on this too. Can’t fault anything in what you say.
The one story that is extremely surprising and being covered just about everywhere Villa right now (inc Skysports) is our bid for Yerry Mina at Barca. Great show of intent – just media talk? Is this a sign to players like Jack of what is to come in an attempt to keep him around?
Personally, I think Jack should stay a long time. He’s going to be an incredible player – but I think even as young as he is at 22, if you’re going to make an impact at a top team, you need to be playing in and around their league and winning games against them to have a good chance of walking into the side. As much as we might not like it, there will still be a stigma from many at Spurs if he arrives attached to the fact he’s playing well only in the EFL. I think Benteke stood a greater chance of success leaving Villa and look how that worked out for him.
But that said, whether it’s now, 6 months, or 6 years from now when Jack leaves – he’s a great player and would hate to see him leave, but would not begrudge him making any decision to leave.
Yerry Mina?
Not a hope in hell, imo.
How could we possibly reconcile his wages?
Whether we stand a cat’s chance in hell of landing him is another story – it’s just an odd move all round if true. From what I’d been reading earlier Man Utd were going all out to secure him right now too – a more likely destination given they’re likely to sell Rojo.
Hmm, same sort of thing, I guess.
Come to the Villa, where’s he’s pretty much guaranteed a start or go to Man U?
It’s a bullshit story, full stop.
But if it did happen, wow.
If the Daily Star are reporting this, you know it’s rubbish;
https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/720808/Man-Utd-transfer-news-Aston-Villa-HIJACK-Yerry-Mina-18m-bid-Barcelona-Gossip
That Mina story is weird and, in my view, just click bait – we can’t afford £18 let alone £18m until we’ve sorted FFP. Any deals are going to be loans even assuming JG leaves this window.
Like you Badger, it seems likely that he will leave and I agree he’s had his head turned. It’s ironic but the man whose been his mentor and big influence on his attitude has probobaly also been the source of turning JG’s head – John Terry. Notwithstanding I do worry about his ability to cope with the pressure and potential life style risk posed by London.
If JG goes we must have first lined up a creative mid fielder to replace him. On a loan back – I think that’s more likely with Chelsea than Spuds.
Jack has apparently binned his old mates, Hitch.
Which has been demonstrated by his improved performance over the last few months, imo.
He’s grown up, but it isn’t being seen by the neutrals just yet, as the gutter stories preceed him, which is why they see him as such a big risk.
Hence I think he’ll cope with London fine.
I think he’s a great buy for a top club, but that doesn’t help my position in wanting him to stay, does it?
I seriously think a loan back is the only way he will leave.
The biggest worry, is who can possibly replace him?
And that’s why we shouldn’t sell at any price (within reason).
Can’t argue with any of that Badger.
Like you I really want him to be part of a Villa success story but he won’t be prepared to wait around hoping and it’s hard to blame him for being ambitious.
It’s interesting to note, Hitch, that Terry has said he hasn’t said anything to Chelsea about Jack.
But he didn’t say he hasn’t advised him at all, either.
I’d suspect he’s definitely advised Jack to go to Spurs.
Its sad that villa (his club) have nurtured him from a young boy. He repays us with a few good games under Sherwood and half a season last time round and at the first opportunity he is off to more likely than not sit on the bench.
Come on Jack stick around give us a year and give your club a chance of getting back to where it belongs. Become a legend not another overpaid mercenary.
I have to echo Steve’s comments. He still owes us some loyalty for sticking with him when he went off the rails. If he really loves the club then he should stay.
There would be no point in keeping Bruce, then pulling the rug from under him by selling his best player. Had the owners been minded to sell Grealish they should have taken the gamble on Henry.
By that logic I doubt the lad will be sold.
Agree that it’s strange that Jack should be played in the friendlies if he’s going to be slinging his hook. Why would you gamble with a possible injury? Not only that but Jack was really putting himself about in the game against Dresden not something I’d do if I was about to go to a new club.
Hope he stays but I’d understand if he wants to go.
I’m very tempted to agree with you both and indeed that’s the stance I’ve previously taken (that we wouldn’t be playing him).
But unless the new owners can pull a rabbit out of the hat, I can’t see any option but to sell him.
I’ve read that the new owners have put £4 mill into the club, by buying new shares. They’re allowed to put £4 mill each.
That’s a drop in the ocean.
If I was Jack do I to double my money and suit out the season on the beach or be a big player for Aston Villa mag get us back to the premier league. Spurs don’t have 30m to buy Jack because they have to pay for a new stadium and hope to sell three players to find the funds. Jack over to you.
Thing is Jack’s keeping his head down – another sign of his growing maturity? So is it because the media is spouting unfounded rumours or because he knows he’s going – just a matter of agreeing a fee? And how do we interpret Chester’s recent comments?
Answers on the back of a postage stamp please!
You’ve got it Hitch. Postage stamp coming in. It’s what’s going to unfold (what fee he’s getting.)
Bruce saying Spuds ‘nowhere near’ Grealish valuation which suggests they have made an approach.
Apparently we can sign loan players up to 31st August but permanent deals must be completed by 9th. Also seems that WHU won’t allow Snodgrass to leave this season.
Looks to me like Grealish wants to go and its just a case of waiting until Levy dips into his pockets deep enough…. If its the last day, I will be super super pi55ed off.
Another goalkeeper looks like being his second signing this summer. That will be 5 on the books. Don’t get that at all unless Bunn or Steer is leaving. Listening to Bruce’s comments it looks like a stand off between Spurs and us for where Grealish is playing this season. My gut feeling is he will go close to deadline day. They will probably agree at 20m plus add ons or 25m to meet half way. If he goes to Spurs he will be a bench warmer. He might be our stand out player in the championship but Spurs players are on a different level altogether. He will hope for injuries and cup appearances most likely. Definitely feeling bitter about the prospect. It will be a shame because he could have been a Villa legend.
See JT has come out and encouraged Grealish to stay at Villa. Also confirmed he hasn’t tried to encourage him to join Chelsea so I owe JT an apology.
He seems genuinely supportive of Villa – top bloke.
It seems you missed my reply to you Hitch.
Terry only said he didn’t talk to Chelsea.
Has he really said he advised Jack to stay at Villa?
I reckon he’s advised that Jack moves to Spurs, myself.
https://astonvilla.vitalfootball.co.uk/music-to-our-ears-top-class-these-villa-fans-are-all-saying-the-same-thing-as-terry-speaks-out/
This is the report I read – apologies as from another blog.
I must admit, I never read the following;
“but we all want to see him do that with @avfcofficial. Come on boys good luck this season UTV.”
I find the “Come on boys” part intriguing.
Almost as though he’s still here.
Legs in that him re-signing for us perhaps?
It really wouldn’t surprise me 🙂
You’re not alone in wondering whether there might be a roll for JT at VP going forward.
Welcome to the championship Frank Lampard. Derby really poor so far.
Can’t believe Derby turned it round. Reading will be kicking themselves.
Spawny last minute goal.
But that’s what it takes.
Baggies lose their first game at home!
Welcome to the Championship
While first games have always struck me as not much better than pre-season friendlies, yes, this result was a bit of a surprise.
Always good when the local rivals lose.
Are we going defensive again? Why are we signing another goalkeeper ? Having bun and Steer sitting on the their arse again seems the norm at Villa.shouldn’t we be looking for a wing back or even a midfield goal creating footballer.Lets hope we get something out of Monday’s game or we are back to sweating bricks again in the season, unless I’ve missed some news being away.
Bill – I suspect Steer will be going. Injury prone and not offered enough pre-season to be convincing. If they get this Norwegian keeper he will wear no1 jersey with Moraira (sic?) As his back up – Bunn emergency No 3.
i have some great news lol well good news for me my predicting this season looks bang on. my first bet stands me 4 from 4 with one selection to come. yes its villa away my final game.
new season was a false start for me. hardly feels like a new season, when you have to wait till monday evening to kickoff. but that aside iam looking forwards to this season and its probably gonna kick me in the balls but i think this season we will do it. promotion here we come.
still need some signings, whore fully short at the back if the system is 352, also with current injuries up front short there too. short on the wingers if they go 442
this is what happens when you have tish mccormack richards on the sidelines. bet theirs almost 150k wages tied up there.
any ways what is the prediction from the posters here. is this our season or will it all be bruces fault again
Shit Nath, i hope your right, you’ve more faith than me in the Villa. It looks like a rough ride to me. Still I’m getting myself ready for tomorrow’s big game and being top of the premiership by scoring 4 goals.
i have been known to get villa results wrong and how they will do in a season. i thought back in 87 we would do better. then we lost 3 nil at home to spuds in the opener
I see, we’ve signed two goalkeepers then ? It’s just that we know what we need and that’s been our problem , if you ask me we are going to just play Bree and Hutton as wing backs and hope our goalkeepers are the best thing since slice bread. am I right in saying we have till the 9th on who goes and what comes in. Hitch.
Bill we can sign loan players up to 31st August but, yes, permanent deals by 9th August
goalkeeping bill is also a problem i forgot to mention. steer and bunn are not good enough. steer has a problem with using his feet. it seems even under no pressure, he cant kick from here to there without it ballooning way off course, the way bruce went about pre season it looks like he playing out more from the back. so a goalie will be needed for sure. steer has good ability in actual goalkeeping shot stopping and stuff shame really. but kicking and distribution is essential these days
i have to admit i know nothing of the two new goalies.
Nath, still haven’t signed the Norwegian gk and last I read there was another club interested so Steer will play Monday night. I completely agree with you on Steer his kicking and general distribution looked awkward and dire.
we havent, sorry i have been away and been banned from reading the footy news, just been catching up on here and the results from yesterday.
Just done 8 days in Padstow Nath. I’m the same band and no internet.
Nath – I was slightly wrong having misread report. The ‘other club’ is Villa. He’s said to be in talks with Villa and ‘expected’ to join subject to medical etc.
grealish staying or going is doing my head in. yes they will need to find money from somewhere to satisfy ffp bulshit. but would be dumb to sell your only real asset days before season starts. as been said before also playing him in friendlies would be dumb if they do end up selling him. not only could he have got injured, we have readied a player we wont have been using.
villa i think should come out and say to spuds and grealish that the point for this transfer to happen has been passed. we are never gonna replace him even if we had money to splash with ffp strangling us. with no real time to get another player in that is cheap and is a match winner. so spuds had all summer to complete this transfer. they messed up and if anything the price should raise further the closer the window shuts. truth be i wouldnt sell him even if grealish begged me or spuds offered 50million.
Nath – Villa have said £35m or go away. I can’t see anyone, let alone Levy, paying that for JG – after all one sf and half a season doesn’t make a great player – no that I’m saying he doesn’t have the potential to become one. What I’m trying to say is that Villa have virtually said he’s not for sale but if someone is daft enough to give us £35m …….. and don’t forget so far this is all media click bait hype.
But as Bruce said – every player has his price.
yeah i hear you but 35 million isn’t enough really, would only clear our ffp,but 50 million would mean no doubt about him staying.
i would say without any doubts that grealish would be a top player in the premiership. what he does in championship he will do to the premiership defences. when he gets the chance he will demonstrate this. with better players around him, he will flourish even more. the players at villa are not good enough to grace the field with him. villa players are clueless they pass to grealish all the time because they know he has the answers. opposition look at villa and they will dread grealish and know stop him and you stop villa.
we need to use this fear of playing against grealish to our advantage. grealish attracts defenders and somewhere this will leave open spaces for other players to exploit. hope hayes gets in some game. i think hes the type of player we lack in midfield. hence the reason grealish has to come deep to get the ball. the system we are trying to play we need to be able to switch play quickly. i cant see whelen doing that or hourihane but hayes does this for the under23’s and the ball lands into the players stride.
Bruce is right that every player has is price. However if villa know he wants to go and are just using all these tactics to try and drive the price up then our whole pre season has just gone out the window.
If villa want him to stay that much and we have billionaire owners then why don’t villa back up what they said a couple of weeks ago and say he is not for sale. He is that important to us.
Ok lads what we think on this player.
ASTON VILLA are close to pulling off a 12-month loan for Manchester United defender Axel Tuanzebe.
The 6ft 1in 20-year-old joined Villa on loan last January but twisted an ankle against Cardiff in only his fifth game, ruling him out for the season.
I think he looked real potential until he got injured. But do we need another right back.
I know he can play in midfield but woul he.
If jack goes we need a creatibe player and sadly i don’t think bruce would give our youth a go.
he isn’t a right back, his favourite position is centre back thou he is very adaptable.he can play all the defensive positions.would be ideal for a squad player. with our lack of quality and numbers back there
i like him thou he was injured early and didnt play much for us. i saw enough to say he has something we need. the three players at the back are all slow. chester jedi elphick would like somebody back there, with some muscle and pace.we practice playing hutton there and bree taylor in preseason i guess in case we get injuries at the back.