4 Reasons Why Grealish Deal Shouldn’t Hinge on Pogba

Embed from Getty Images

There is an emerging precedent that a deal for Jack Grealish to join Manchester United requires Paul Pogba to be sold. My gut feeling tells me that’s false, I personally believe that the acquisition of Jack Grealish to supplement the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Pogba as midfield options would be terrific.

But who cares what I think?… Sky Sports’ Dharmesh Sheth said yesterday that in the current climate, “Signing 2 players [Sancho and Grealish] for what would be close to £200m would then require Manchester United to generate with sales” with obvious reference to a certain French Midfielder. For me, along with Jadon Sancho, super Jack should be a priority, and should not hinge on Paul Pogba.

1. Jack Grealish is a really good player…

Yes, it does sound extremely obvious. At Manchester United, we should have the best players. But, Grealish wasn’t only one of the Premier League’s best performers but shined in a side that could be relegated.

Embed from Getty Images

Jack Grealish is a player that managed 7 goals and 6 assists in a team sat in 19th. Comparing him to his midfield counterpart James Maddison, who many have raved about this season scored 6 and assisted 3 while taking up similar positions on the pitch.

The midfielder has also been named alongside De Bruyne, Mo Salah, Mane and Rashford in the highest-rated at home XI according to Whoscored. In addition to that, he was also included in the ‘best of the rest’ XI excluding top 6 players. Grealish was even the standout player at Old Trafford in December with Ole reportedly telling the Villa captain that he was the best player on the pitch.

2. Pogba’s Injuries are a problem

Paul Pogba has once again missed an important chunk of the season. Pogba missing games is turning into a familiar pattern. Injusries are no fault of his own but there’s no mistake in saying his sustainable fitness is becoming a problem.

Embed from Getty Images

Before this seasons mess in terms of Pogba injuries, the one thats stands out was Mourinho’s second season at the club. We were “4-0 FC” and absolutely flying. 4 games into the 17/18 League Season and we were top of the league, outscoring a City team that would later become the Centurions. Paul Pogba’s injury on the opening day of our Champions League campaign was the unravelling of our season, I personally still believe we wouldv’e pushed City all the way had he stayed fit.

Now look at this season, he’s missed 40 games! Can you imagine that is our talisman, our most important player, continually missing crucial games? My reasoning here doesn’t consist of arguing Pogba should be sold, far from it. With Bruno Fernandes, we have an added inspiration in the team, someone to rely on in the World Cup winners’ inevitable absences, why not add Jack Grealish to that, he’s a leader for Villa, he hasn’t missed a league game for them this season. If we have Jack Grealish, that famous line “when Pogba’s back in the team” suddenly becomes a lot less meaningful.

3. Andreas Pereira or Jack Grealish?

Embed from Getty Images

Andreas Pereira has been awful for Manchester United this season. I think it pains many to admit, but he hasn’t lived up to the expectations we had of him when he was breaking through. He’s talented, no doubt about that, but whether he’s playing as an 8, a 6 or on the wing he just doesn’t seem comfortable.

The best way that I can describe him is a player who does the hard stuff well but the easy stuff not so well. Think back to last season against Southampton, the Brazillian scored a sensational curling goal Beckham would’ve been proud of. Fast forward to this season, oppurtunity to make it all square at Anfield against liverpool with a simple back post tap in and he puts it wide.

Andreas Pereira is not a better player than Jack Grealish. Grealish is a far more effective and intelligent footballer. The only reason why one would keep Andreas is pure sentiment because he’s one of our own. People beat Jesse Lingard with the same stick but Lingard has far more use in big games with his pressing and ability to make the right decision. Grealish is an obvious upgrade on both of them, and we are looking to improve. Do the deal…

4. Are we now Pogba United?

Embed from Getty Images

Paul Pogba on his day is the best midfielder in the league according to some. According to others, like myself, Paul Pogba is the best Midfielder in world football period. Nobody can touch him in terms of his passing , athleticism and his footballing brain. But there is no harm in admitting that the situation is becoming a circus.

When he first came, Paul Pogba needed to be “unlocked” by another players and he had to play on the left side of a midfield 3. Then, it was Pogba’s agent vs the club followed quickly by Pogba vs Mourinho. Now the supposed rhetoric is that Paul Pogba is itching for a move away from Old Trafford. Only time will tell if that is true.

As it presently stands, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is building for a better future for the club. Jack Grealish would more than easily fit into his plans. Are we now saying that Pogba holds the keys as to whether or not Manchester United can improve the team? Not for me. I like everything about Jack Grealish, he has that aura that Sir Alex looked for in players, it’s a deal he’d be all over. Yes, Grealish did some questionable things recently but didn’t Rooney, didn’t Cantona? do people not deserve a second chance? Where he’d play is a question for later but I hope Paul Pogba does not stand in his way.