Aston Villa Reunion
Jack Grealish has made a remarkable start to his Everton career, rekindling his passion for football after a challenging 18 months at Manchester City. The English international accomplished his dream of winning prestigious trophies following his €100m transfer to City, securing three Premier League titles and lifting the Champions League trophy.
However, the creativity and flair Grealish showcased at Aston Villa were often constrained by Pep Guardiola’s strict tactical framework. In his final season at City, he found himself limited to brief substitute appearances, but he has appeared rejuvenated at Everton. Grealish has always thrived as a central figure in a team rather than a peripheral player, and his impressive start under David Moyes could put him on track to shatter an assist record at Everton.
Can Jack Grealish Break the Everton Assist Record?
Grealish made his Everton debut as a substitute during a disappointing loss to Leeds United. However, he has since emerged as a key player, contributing significantly to the team’s performance in their last two matches, where he provided four assists, leading Everton to maximum points. He assisted two goals in a 2-0 victory over Brighton and repeated the feat in a thrilling 5-2 win against Wolves.
With four assists, Grealish is well ahead of any other player in the Premier League this season and is on track to challenge the club record. The current record for the most assists by an Everton player in a single Premier League season stands at 12, held by Andy Hinchcliffe from the 1994/95 campaign. Iconic left-back Leighton Baines is frequently mentioned in the top assist rankings, along with current Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta. This weekend, Grealish will face his former club Villa, and Moyes has expressed his admiration for Grealish’s performances, stating, “Some of his football has been really good. The biggest compliment I could probably give him is he’s better than I thought he was. You know, he’s so good.”
Comparison of Jack Grealish’s Records at Aston Villa and Manchester City
Critics often highlight the substantial transfer fee that City paid for Grealish, noting that his attacking contributions over 157 appearances included only 40 goals and assists. A recent study by Transfermarkt revealed that Grealish’s cost per goal contribution of €2.9m ranks as the 8th highest in history. He frequently struggled to fit into Guardiola’s tactical plans, evidenced by his limited playing time of only 715 minutes in the Premier League last season. There is a narrative suggesting Grealish underperformed at Manchester City after thriving at Aston Villa, but the difference in his attacking statistics at both clubs isn’t as stark as some might think, as detailed below.
Despite the hefty fee and criticism regarding his output, it’s clear that playing as the leading figure at Villa enhanced his performance. Yet, his numbers at City are not drastically different, indicating the complexities of his role and environment in contrasting clubs.
