FLOG POG GET GREAL
Paul over at United says Gray Thompson’s warning for Jack EXCLUSIVE
UNDER-FIRE Aston Villa skipper Jack Grealish has been tipped to recover from his latest career own goal and still attract offers of around £100million this summer. But former striker Garry Thompson shares fans’ disappointment the midfielder ignored advice to stay home during the coronavirus lockdown. Instead Grealish admitted he broke the curfew by venturing out was pictured at the scene of a car accident before later recording a video apology. Thompson, whose goals helped steer Villa to promotion to the top flight in 1988, hopes Grealish will still be at the club next season but doubts that will be the case. When the pandemic halted the season they were two points from safety. Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is strongly rumoured to be keen on signing Grealish this summer while other top managers have praised the playmaker’s rare talent. And Thompson, 60, said: “I would be surprised if this latest episode deters any interested club if they were actually serious about spending a large amount of money on Jack this summer.
“A big club like Manchester United, for instance, would just back themselves to make sure they surround Jack with the right people and encourage him to just do what he does best – boss football matches. There is still nobody like him in the country. James Maddison and Mason Mount are top players but they can’t dribble with the ball like Jack Grealish.
“I’m sure football club finances will feel the impact of the coronavirus but I don’t believe it will stop the very big clubs from still making huge bids this summer, for Grealish, Maddison or anyone else.
“It might just mean clubs bid £80m instead of £100m. I do think he is good enough to command such a price so it will be interesting to watch.
“Personally, as a Villa fan, I hope he stays but I can’t see it. He will need to see some serious ambition from the Villa board – if they stay up, of course.”
Meanwhile, Thompson feels this latest incident really does need to be Grealish’s final mistake so he can go on to fulfil his rich promise.
He appeared to have matured into a player who could spearhead England’s midfield.
“In recent years, he’s gone from being pictured drunk on holiday when he was still a windy winger into a creative midfielder who’s now the captain and talisman for Villa,” said Thompson.
“He needs to think long and hard about who he chooses to socialise with. This has to be the last time he’s involved in this kind of story.”