Why Grealish needs guidance. Dropping him isn’t the answer.
Jack Grealish is one of the most talented youngsters I have ever came across in an Aston Villa shirt in recent times, although that may be slim picking I wouldn’t throw around the phrase ‘most talented’ lightly. He really does have an ability that not many can match at any level of the game.
We have all read the tabloid stories in recent days of his latest partying antics and all probably slammed him for it at some stage or questioned why he did it. I ask anyone reading it what you was doing at the age of 21? I’d imagine many will have done something of a similar nature in terms of seriousness.
Others will say that Jack Grealish is not young anymore and he shouldn’t be in these situations, I agree with the latter but not the former.
Grealish is still a young, developing player with the world still at his feet. In football it isn’t really make or break until you are 23/24 when you should be developing into a fully fledged adult.
The 21 year old is in a unique position at Villa for many reasons. He is idolised by thousands of fans whether it be on a match day or on social media, yet until this summer there has not been one role model in the squad for him to follow.
He is bound to have some friends who will want the limelight but Grealish isn’t to blame. I hate the slang term ‘snake’ but seemingly that’s what seems to surround him whenever he is on a night out.
It isn’t rare for a footballer to go out on the lash but there will be always a media circus around a young and very talented British player.
There is never a good time to go for a night out as a footballer.
So why should he be playing on Saturday?
Many disciplinarians will say that he should be dropped, but I am against that. There is no better way to shut up negative reports than to put in a match winning performance in the next match and Grealish should be given the opportunity to do that.
The media have claimed that Grealish has been fined £50,000 if that is the case then that is fair for what happened, but lets leave it at that. Lets not drop him because on the pitch he has been majestic at times this season.
This may not be the first time he has been on the front pages for the wrong reasons but lets remember how much this guy has done for young fans and so many others in such a short time frame.
Grealish has the world at his feet. He has some role models in the club now and these things will ease out over time. I am not saying what happened should not be forgotten but lets cast our minds back to what we was doing at a similar age to him.
He may be a footballer etc etc, but this is probably only scratching the surface. Footballers in the past did a lot worse and I am sure many playing the game now have done a lot worse.
It’s sad that Grealish’s great work with the likes of Carter (seen in photo above) does not sell papers or get clicks because that’s the side I know everyone would rather see plastered on the front pages.
Final word
Jack Grealish has a hell of a lot of ability. Role models are in place now and he should hopefully follow. He is a boyhood Villan and will come back fighting for us.
All will be forgotten if he continues his early season form and that is how it should be. Yes it isn’t right, but just remember, he didn’t chose to be thrown into the limelight. It comes with the territory he is in.
All he wants to do is play football. So let the football do the talking and whatever happens off the pitch. happens off it and lets not mix them together. People may say he chose this lifestyle. No he didn’t.
No footballer choses to be good at what he does and thrown into the media spotlight with his friends potentially dropping him in the ****
Lets not chastise him. I’m the first to criticise and praise when it comes to Aston Villa and I am critical of Jack for what he did, but I don’t honestly care if he continues early season form.
He is a long way away from the complete package and I am sure he would admit that himself and with every slip up there is good times. You have to take the rough with the smooth and it is what makes you stronger not weaker.
Here is hoping he starts vs Newcastle United at the weekend and continues his early season form.