Jack Grealish branded a ‘huge success’ at Man City despite going over a year without Premier League goal as club legend dismisses £100m price-tag concerns for ‘exceptional’ winger

The England international forward became the most expensive player in British football when moving to the Etihad Stadium from boyhood club Aston Villa in 2021. He now has three Premier League titles to his name and formed part of a historic Treble triumph in 2022-23.

Grealish has, however, faced accusations of changing his game under Pep Guardiola – with the 29-year-old seemingly reluctant to carry the ball as much as he did at Villa. His end product has also dried up since swapping the West Midlands for the North West.

Just 16 goals have been registered for City through 151 appearances, with his last effort in the English top-flight coming over 14 months ago on December 16, 2023. As many headlines have been made off the field of late as on it.

Quizzed on whether Grealish has justified his nine-figure price tag, former City captain Dunne – speaking in association with William Hill – told GOAL: “The price tag is what it is, that’s the business of Premier League football at the moment.

“If you look at any player that is involved in a Treble-winning team, they have justified their reasons for being there. Jack was a huge part of that Treble-winning side, so I don’t think anyone can doubt that he has been a success at Man City. He has been a huge success.

“He has probably not had the goals and assists that everyone wants to look at and see, but his performances and what he’s brought to the club and the team have been exceptional. If he was to leave in the summer, I don’t think people would say it has been a failed move. He’s had a really successful time and hopefully it will continue for more years, rather than thinking that’s the end this summer.”

Getty Images

Grealish is under contract at City through to the summer of 2027, but it remains to seen whether said terms will be honoured. He faces added competition for places on the back of recent recruitment business in Manchester, meaning that exit talk has surfaced ahead of the next window.