When asked to name the best players in the English Premier League, most will think of the top players on the best teams, the kind of teams you can bet on to win games using a Bet365 code.
However, one name that could escape your mind is Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish. Talent-wise, few will doubt that Grealish is too good of a player to be on a team like Aston Villa that just gained promotion to the Premier League and will likely be fighting until May to avoid relegation.
But exactly how good of a player is Grealish? Is he good enough to keep Aston Villa in the Premier League beyond this season? Is he good enough to be a difference-maker on one of England’s best clubs?
A Lifer
Outside of a half-season on loan to Notts County in 2013, Grealish has spent his entire career with Aston Villa, joining the club when he was six years old. It’s been a whirlwind for him both on and off the field, particularly over the past few seasons.
He was a fringe player when the Villains finished last in the Premier League in the 2015-16 season, sending them down to the Championship. Just a couple of years later, Grealish was a key part of the team that lost in the Promotion Playoff finals.
It was Grealish’s return from an injury that sparked Villa’s run the second half of the season just to get into the Promotion Playoffs.
It’s been more of the same this season, with the Villains struggling to stay out of the bottom three in the Premier League. He’s undoubtedly been Aston Villa’s best player this season.
The club has been heavily reliant on Grealish to be their on-field leader, which is a testament to how far he’s come in the past few seasons.
Carrying That Weight
Every game that Aston Villa plays, there’s little doubt that Grealish feels the weight of the world on his shoulders. He knows he needs to be both a playmaker and a goal-scoring threat for Villa to get a positive result.
At the same time, he bears the brunt of the opposing team’s tackles. Grealish has won more fouls than any other player in the Premier League this season.
Not only is he miles ahead of everyone else, but the fouls he takes are usually hard and aggressive tackles by midfield enforcers trying to prevent him from unlocking the backline.
Grealish getting fouled with such frequency is largely a result of Aston Villa lacking bonafide playmakers other than him. But it’s also a sign of respect.
It means that opposing defenders fear what he can do if they don’t find a way to slow him down by any means necessary. More than anything else, it’s a sign that the rest of the EPL has taken notice of Grealish and what he brings to the table.
“They have one of the best players in the league in Jack Grealish,” Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola recently said. “I’m a big fan of him,”
Maturing
Grealish also deserves credit for his growth in maturity that has accompanied his growth as a player. Early in his days with Aston Villa’s first team, off-field incidents were a common occurrence with Grealish.
However, they appear to be a thing of the past with the 24-year-old Grealish finally growing up. At the same time, his on-field cockiness has morphed into a quiet confidence.
This is another sign of maturity that has enabled Grealish to handle being the most important player on the field for Aston Villa, as well as the team’s captain. Grealish being able to take on both roles is why Aston Villa gained promotion to the Premier League and why the club at least has a fighting chance to stay up.
Yet, for as much as Grealish and grown and accomplished in a few short years, there is much he is yet to prove. While he has undoubtedly earned the chance to receive a call up to international duty, he enters the final international break before this summer’s European Championships without a full international cap for England.
It would take some good fortune, the trust of England manager Gareth Southgate, and a quick transition to the speed of the international game for Grealish to play a role for the Three Lions at the Euros this summer.
Moving Up?
There is also the matter of Grealish going to a big club and proving that he can handle the pressure that comes with a bigger salary and a big-money transfer move. Wide-spread reports are linking Grealish to one of the top clubs in England this summer, most notably Manchester United, Chelsea, and Liverpool.
There are even whispers linking him with Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid. At this point, Grealish moving to a big club this summer seems inevitable, especially if Aston Villa is relegated.
Of course, as many players have found out, there is a world of difference between succeeding at a club at that level and succeeding at a club like Aston Villa.
So, exactly how good is Jack Grealish? Well, he’s unlikely to win Player of the Year honors in the Premier League this season. However, one would be hard-pressed to find a player who’s more valuable to his team than Grealish.
Factor in the importance a player has to his club, and there are few if any players in the EPL who would rank higher than Grealish. That in itself says a lot about how good of a player Grealish is.
Of course, until he gets an opportunity to play with England at a major international tournament or makes a move to a big club that is expected to win trophies, it’s impossible to know how Grealish measures up against the best.
That being said, considering all he brings to the table and deals with, it’d be a mistake to doubt Grealish’s ability to one day leave little doubt that he’s one of the best in England, and perhaps the world.
Premier League new season 2018-2019 starts with a big game between Arsenal and Manchester at Emirates Stadium.
Kick-off: 16:00 BST
Date: Sunday 12, August 2018
Venue: Emirates Stadium, London
Referee appointment: Michael Oliver
Liverpool have completed the signing of goalkeeper Alisson Becker from AS Roma, according to official website.
World Cup 2018 final is finally here between France and Croatia this weekend at Luzhniki Stadium. Read full match preview below.
Kick-off: 16:00 BST
Date: Sunday 15, July 2018
Venue: Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow
Croatia and England will go head to head in the semi-final game of the World Cup 2018 at Luzhniki Stadium.
Kick-off: 19:00 BST
Date: Wednesday 11 July, 2018
Venue: Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow
Possible Lineups:
European giants France and Belgium will go head to head in the FIFA World Cup first semi-final match at Saint Petersburg Stadium.
Kick-off: 19:00 BST
Date: Tuesday 10 July, 2018
Venue: Saint Petersburg Stadium, St. Petersburg
Brazil will go head to head with Belgium in the quarter final round of World Cup 2018 at Kazan Arena.
Kick-off: 19:00 BST
Date: Friday 6, July 2018
Venue: Kazan Arena, Kazan
France and Argentina will go head to head in the first game of round of 16 this Saturday at Kazan Arena.
Kick-off: 15:00 BST
Date: Saturday 30, June 2018
Venue: Kazan Arena, Kazan
Team News:
France
Center back Samuel Umtiti remains doubtful but is hoping to be fit for this big game on Saturday.
Boss Didier Deschamps rested several of his star players including Hugo Lloris, Kylian Mbappe and Paul Pogba in their last game against Denmark, they all are expected to return in the starting eleven.
Pogba, Blaise Matuidi and Corentin Tolisso need only one booking to miss their next game, they need to be cautious.
Argentina
Jorge Sampaoli is expected to start with the same lineup that won against Nigeria.
Enzo Perez is doubtful through a minor knock.
Gabriel Mercado, Ever Banega, Javier Mascherano, Marcos Acuna, Nicolas Otamendi and Lionel Messi all have to play fairly in order to avoid missing next game as they are only one booking away from game suspension.
Possible Lineups:
Stats:
Argentina have won their last 2 games against France in World Cup.
France have not won any of their last 4 games against Argentina.
France have scored only 1 goal against Argentina in their last 4 games.
France are unbeaten so far in World Cup 2018.
Prediction:
France 1 – 2 Argentina, Lionel Messi to shine for his country, helping them to reach the quarter final of World Cup 2018.
Nigeria and Argentina will go head to head in a crucial final group game of the World Cup 2018 tomorrow at Saint Petersburg Stadium.
Kick-off: 19:00 BST
Date: Tuesday 26, June 2018
Venue: Saint Petersburg Stadium, St. Petersburg
Possible Lineups:
Team News:
Nigeria
Nigeria manager Gernot Rohr is likely to continue with a three man defence formation as it worked well against Iceland.
Tyronne Ebuehi who played the second half in last game is expected to take place Brian Idowu on the left flank.
A major concern for the African side is that John Obi Mikel is doubtful with a hand injury.
Argentina
Argentina will be looking to bounce back after their recent poor performances.
Boss Jorge Sampaoli is set to change team’s formation to 4-3-3.
Several star players including Ever Banega, Angel Di Maria and Gonzalo Higuain are likely to be called back in the starting eleven. Sergio Aguero might have to give his place to Higuain after his average performances in the competition.
Stats:
Argentina is yet to win a game so far in this World Cup.
Nigeria have won 2 of their last 4 games against Argentina including friendlies.
Argentina have won their last 3 games against Nigeria in World Cup.
Prediction:
Nigeria 1 – 2 Argentina, Lionel Messi to finally break the deadlock in this decisive game.
Group B sides Portugal and Morocco will go head to head in the second group game in the World Cup 2018 at Luzhniki Stadium.
Kick-off: 13:00 BST
Date: Wednesday 20, June 2018
Venue: Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow
Possible Lineups:
Nabil Fekir to stay at Lyon, Harry Kane pens new deal, Arsenal agree Sokratis Papastathopoulos deal, Huddersfield sign Terence Kongolo and much more in today's news roundup.
Nabil Fekir to stay at Lyon
Liverpool summer target Nabil Fekir will stay at Lyon next season, according to club’s officials. Premier League side have been so close in sealing the deal in the last few days but today the news came out that Lyon President has ruled out the move of their star player to Liverpool.
Harry Kane pens new deal
Harry Kane has signed six-year deal at Tottenham Hotspur despite having strong interest from several top clubs. The English man who will lead his team in the World Cup has now committed until 2024.
Arsenal agree Sokratis Papastathopoulos deal
Arsenal have agreed a deal to sign Sokratis Papastathopoulos from Borussia Dortmund, according to SkySports. The 30-year-old Greece international will be flying for a medical ahead of his £16million move to the North London side.
Huddersfield sign Terence Kongolo
Huddersfield have signed 24-year-old Terence Kongolo on permanent basis from Monaco on a record breaking fee. The reports suggest that the English side paid £17.5million to close his deal. The Dutchman made 17 appearances during his loan spell last season.
Juventus sign Mattia Perin
Serie A giants Juventus have signed Mattia Perin from Genoa on a four-year deal. The fee reported to be around £13.2million. The 25-year-old made 150 appearances for Genoa during his 8 years of stay.
With a wide array of superstar signings in football on a bi-annual basis, it’s easy to get swept away with excitement when your latest midfield linchpin signs on the dotted line. But, is it worth spending 10’s of millions on the latest Brazilian prodigy when a Championship stalwart will give you the same return? We find out how much a Premier League goal really costs.
Arsenal new manager Unai Emery is eyeing Juventus right-back Stephan Lichtsteiner as his first signing for the Gunners, as per Express.
Find out who leads the chart, top goal scorer, most assists and most clean sheets in the 2017-2018 Champions League campaign.
........ Arsenal
Defending champions Real Madrid will face Liverpool in their third consecutive final of the Champions League this Saturday.
Kick-off: 19:45 BST
Date: Saturday, 26 May, 2018
Venue: NSC Olimpiyskiy, Kyiv
Referee Appointment: Milorad Mažić (Serbia)
Find out who led the chart, top goal scorer, most assists and most clean sheets in the Serie A 2017-2018 season.
................................................. Arsenal
................................................. Arsenal
Find out who led the chart, top goal scorer, most assists and most clean sheets in the La Liga 2017-2018 season. .
................................................ Arsenal
................................................ Arsenal
Premier League top sides Chelsea and Manchester United will go head to head in the FA Cup final game this Saturday at Wembley Stadium.
Kick-off: 17:15 BST
Date: Saturday, 19th May 2018
Venue: Wembley Stadium, London
Find out who led the chart, top goal scorer, most assists and most clean sheets in the Barclays Premier League 2017-2018 season.
........ Arsenal
........ Arsenal
Here is a list of Premier League fixtures, kick off time, venue and referee appointments for the 38th game week in the 2017-2018 Barclays Premier League season. arsenal
