Jack Grealish's old mentor Tim Sherwood is tipping the Manchester City ace to deliver another inspirational FA Cup display after backing his decision to snub Manchester United.
Sherwood was Aston Villa manager when attacking ace Grealish got his first top-flight start in April 2015 aged 19. His faith in the starlet was repaid handsomely when the then teenager inspired Villa to safety and into the FA Cup final with a dazzling performance against Liverpool.
Sherwood has been delighted to see Grealish, 27, come good at City this term after taking his time to adjust last season following a record £100million move in 2021 from Villa.
But Grealish has played a major role this term in a second successive title for Pep Guardiola’s side with five goals and seven assists.
Sherwood now expects Grealish to have a key role in City’s quest for the treble against Manchester United in the FA Cup final and Inter Milan in the Champions League final. Sherwood, who bossed Villa from February 2015- October 2015, reflected: “It was a big price tag but if anyone can handle that it will be someone like Jack Grealish. The bigger the pressure and the higher the occasion, the more he grows.
“I found that when he was a young boy. Give him the opportunity on a big stage with a pressurised environment , he would come to the front and be one you can rely on. He is made for that and almost born for it. I think his development there at Man City has been gradual but he is now one of the first names on the team sheet.
“I would be amazed if he didn’t play in both Cup finals coming up. Jack is a Mensa footballer - there are not many brighter footballers than him. I think he has proven it by realising he has to get his head down , listen to Pep and his team-mates, with a load of leaders among them, and improve. Guardiola is reaping the benefits of putting the time into Jack.”
Grealish’s development at his boyhood club Villa sparked major interest from Manchester United. But Sherwood feels Grealish made the right choice opting to move instead to their rivals City, who face their neighbours for the first time in an FA Cup final.
He added: “It looks like he is on the brink of doing the treble. How can you say it is not the correct decision. United is a huge football club and it would have been a great move for him to go there. I think that is what they needed, someone like him.
“But once you sit in front of Guardiola and Txiki Begiristain, they sell you the project and it is game over. If you are an offensive player anywhere in the world, why wouldn’t you want to go and play for Pep Guardiola? You are getting paid to be tutored by the best in the world. Jack knows what he is doing and that is why Pep took him there.
“I listen to other pundits saying he gets kicked too much or gets fouled too much. But he does it for a reason. He creates a melee, drags people in and releases it at the correct time. He can take the ball in a telephone box and look like he has space. If someone is tight to him he moves it on or he creates a melee and traffic and releases into İlkay Gundogan who gives it to Kevin De Bruyne who then has space. He is part of the cog now.
“He realises it is not all about him and he has a part to play in a structure. As much as people think Guardiola’s side just play off the cuff, they do not, it is so structured. He has fitted into that structure now , he knows his worth and is playing his part and that is why he is playing every week. It must be a dream for any footballer, especially with the ability Jack has got.”
Grealish’s success is no surprise to Sherwood after the starlet came of age under him with a particularly memorable display in a 2-1 win over Liverpool eight years ago. Sherwood recalled: “It was sink or swim and I knew he wouldn’t sink. The only people I was worried about was his support act. He was obviously the superstar. He used to take us up the field, buy fouls and relieve pressure.
“He was not fazed despite looking across at players like Steven Gerrard. There were some superstars in their side. But he is not a guy who is going to get his phone out and autograph book out. He feels like he is one of them and he certainly was that day.”
