EXCLUSIVE: Jack Grealish looks „bigger“ and has lost his „pace and belief“

Jack Grealish appears a “bit larger” and hasn’t obtained the “tempo or perception” to go previous gamers anymore, based on former Aston Villa favorite Stan Collymore.

Grealish has been a bit-part participant for a lot of the season at Manchester Metropolis, regardless of their struggles, though he was recalled for the primary leg of their Champions League playoff towards Actual Madrid earlier than limping off with a hip harm after half an hour.

The England worldwide missed Saturday’s 4-0 thumping of Newcastle in consequence however could also be match to return for tomorrow night time’s second leg on the Santiago Bernabeu.

Jack Grealish of @ManCity warms up in the course of the UEFA @ChampionsLeague 2024/25 Coaching Session at Manchester Metropolis Soccer Academy in Manchester, England.

Extra #GettySportVideo @JackGrealish 🎥 Christopher Furlong 👉 https://t.co/VEJB7UW76n pic.twitter.com/ftl2SHs1dd

— Getty Pictures Sport (@GettySport) February 18, 2025

Collymore has been disenchanted by his performances of late and believes Grealish may very well be on the wane.

He advised 101 Nice Targets through William Hill Vegas: “Jack was taken by Manchester Metropolis to go previous a full-back, get to the byline, twist and switch, put the ball throughout the field and somebody like a [Erling] Haaland or a [Sergio] Aguero to place the ball at the back of the online. 

“Jack doesn’t try this any extra. There’s been a lot of garbage about the way it’s been coached out of him however it hasn’t. He appears a bit larger to me, he doesn’t look motivated to go previous individuals anymore and he doesn’t appear to be he has the tempo or perception to go previous individuals.”

Collymore impressed by Rashford’s early Villa shows

Grealish and Marcus Rashford beforehand fought over the left-sided function within the England crew and it stays to be seen how new Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel views the pair when he names his first squad in March for the back-to-back World Cup qualifiers with Albania and Latvia at Wembley.

Collymore has been impressed by Rashford’s first two shows since signing for Villa on mortgage though he stresses it’s too early to say he’s again to his finest.

Marcus Rashford’s all-action @AVFCOfficial debut! 😅

Up subsequent are Liverpool on Wednesday… pic.twitter.com/T8uC80iRE0

— Premier League (@premierleague) February 18, 2025

He added: “The indicators are fairly good, there was a stat yesterday that was absurd: he’s created Villa’s most take-ons and large probabilities this calendar yr and he’s solely performed 45 minutes [in the Premier League]. He’s taken on three full-backs and he’s regarded sharp in doing so.

“Marcus nonetheless has the tempo to go previous individuals however does he nonetheless have the assumption to do this on a constant foundation? The early indicators bode nicely. 

“A few occasions towards Ipswich [on Saturday] he obtained the ball on the left wing, on the touchline, and went previous individuals. If he does that he’ll get again to one thing approaching his finest. 

“If he goes previous individuals and it’s tips however no finish product then he’s going to wrestle to grasp his ambition, which is to both get a everlasting transfer to Villa or the dream remains to be to go on and play for Barcelona.

“He’s began nicely however let’s see what the prognosis is after 10 video games. He’s technically at Villa for a short while, let’s say 15 or 16 video games all being nicely [and] on the very least I wish to see 4 or 5 assists and 4 or 5 targets. He shall be judged on pure output. He’s began brightly however, that’s all it’s, a shiny begin.”

Rashford may very well be in line for his first Villa begin when Unai Emery’s males tackle Premier League leaders Liverpool at Villa Park tonight.