Grealish in midfield 🧵 I think it is interesting and he potentially offers a lot. Firstly, I think his game is better suited to the 8 role Gundogan has played in the last few years as opposed to the 8/10 role De Bruyne and Foden are best in 1/ - ThreadSky

city-tactics.bsky.social • 145 days ago

Grealish in midfield 🧵

I think it is interesting and he potentially offers a lot.

Firstly, I think his game is better suited to the 8 role Gundogan has played in the last few years as opposed to the 8/10 role De Bruyne and Foden are best in 1/

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city-tactics.bsky.social•145 days ago

Centrally I think he can do a lot of his best work in deeper areas. Pep called out his threat around the box last night and how he could improve his numbers. But I’m not sure he has those special decisive qualities around the box that De Bruyne and Foden do, high bar but that’s where we are 2/

city-tactics.bsky.social•145 days ago

I do think he has more qualities to be a midfield all-rounder than those two though.

Grealish’s physicality has always been a big part of his game. He’s big and strong and allied to a good workrate he can get around the pitch well 3/

city-tactics.bsky.social•145 days ago

He’s very comfortable taking the ball from the back line and playing from there. He can drive you up the pitch with his ball carrying allied to his passing range and he rarely gives the ball away. He can bring a calm to play and has the potential to tempo setter 4/

city-tactics.bsky.social•145 days ago

It’s his physicality that facilitates his ball carrying. He’s obviously comfortable in possession and technically amongst the best players in the league. Although he isn’t as press resistant as Bernardo (who is?!) it’s his physicality that gives Grealish an advantage in the crowded central zones 5/

city-tactics.bsky.social•145 days ago

He can carry the ball with men at his back, his size and strength allow him to shield the ball excellently and he doesn’t have to turn out when faced physical contact. That allows him to go on mazy runs that result in play developing around him 6/

city-tactics.bsky.social•145 days ago

He has the ability to see that development and to subsequently find the right pass to suit. I think that’s his best asset and something we saw loads of last night. I think that only gets better as the players around him get used to his style and Grealish to his role 7/

avazig.bsky.social•144 days ago

He's also perceived as an annoying shit by rival players who can't resist kicking him. That draws fouls and allows the tram to move up the field and organise.

paulcooney.bsky.social•143 days ago

Great analysis this, watching on Wednesday I was trying to think who he reminded me of in that role & it was similar to Modric who would move the team up the pitch with his dribbling/ball carrying from deep. Excited to see more of him today in this role

arj0.bsky.social•142 days ago

What has happened to Foden? Has his season just been affected by injury, or is there something else as well?

city-tactics.bsky.social•142 days ago

I don’t know. There are rumours that he’s struggling with some personal problems but they’re just rumours. Hopefully he can get a run of matches soon and find form.

sitemplar.bsky.social•145 days ago

Jack was excellent last night but teams playing us aren’t used to seeing him in the middle of the park do are not set up to cancel him out. I suspect this will change once teams suss the system out. Let’s hope not. Come on City!

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