Former Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott has suggested that criticism of Jack Grealish is unfair, claiming that the England international is finally showing why the Blues paid £100million to sign him.
Grealish arrived at the Etihad Stadium from Aston Villa in the summer of 2021, but the 27-year-old has struggled for goals and assists since joining City. The attacker has registered just seven goals and seven assists in 60 appearances, but has looked much-improved so far this term.
Pep Guardiola has consistently backed Grealish since his move two years ago, and the player will be desperate to start in the Manchester derby on Saturday afternoon. The former Aston Villa man has formed a good partnership with Erling Haaland following the Norwegian's arrival in the summer, with the pair combining for two goals this campaign.
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While it remains to be seen if Guardiola will include Grealish his starting line-up for the clash with Erik ten Hag's side, Lescott believes it is another chance for the attacker to silence his critics and show that he is of huge value to the Blues.
"It's a hard one for Jack with the price tag," he said, as per Eurosport. "It’s forever going to be associated with him and rightly so because he deserved to be bought for that money. It’s always unfair that it’s been justified that’s he’s not worth that to Man City.
"He was worth that to Aston Villa, and more, due to keeping them in the league. If he wasn’t at Villa I don’t believe they would’ve stayed in the league, and it generates £150m to stay in the league.
"He gets criticism unfairly but his contribution for City has been there. He scored a massive goal at West Ham last season. There’s probably not been as many moments as he’d hoped, but when you’re playing with higher calibre players other people are going to contribute.
"Grealish doesn’t need to be man of the match every week. Kevin De Bruyne doesn’t need to be man of the match every week. That’s what we’re missing and thinking Grealish needs to do certain things when other players need to do their job."
Lescott also claimed that United ace Marcus Rashford is the only player City would take from the United squad. The England forward has registered 15 goals and six assists in 25 appearances for Ten Hag's side this season - scoring in his last seven matches in all competitions.
Rashford has scored four times against City in his career, but has lost on nine occasions. He will be hoping to secure an important win over Guardiola's men on Saturday.
When asked who he would take from Old Trafford, Lescott said: "That’s not taking (Phil) Foden or Grealish out, but you would have Rashford. Marcus Rashford is so dominant, something is going to have to come from him in order for United to win the game."
City, who currently find themselves in second position in the Premier League table, have a four-point lead over United heading into the derby at the weekend.
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