Former Liverpool captain and manager Graeme Souness believes Manchester City winger Jack Grealish and Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice are not worth the £100m that their clubs paid for them.
Grealish arrived from Aston Villa in the summer of 2021, while Rice made the switch to the Gunners last year but, speaking to William Hill‘s Three Up Front podcast, Souness said:
“When you talk about players who are overhyped, you also have to factor in transfer fees, and Declan Rice comes to mind. I don’t think he is worth the £100million that Arsenal paid for him. I would also mention Jack Grealish in that conversation.”
“£100million is a lot of money, and for that, you’re looking at signing a world-class footballer. My definition of that is someone who gets into any team in the world. I think there are only a handful of world-class players in the Premier League at any one time.”
Grealish’s form over the past 12 months is a concern
The winger did take some time to settle in at the Etihad but many supporters regard his displays during the 2022/23 season as being crucial to City winning their historic treble.
Grealish ended that campaign with 5 goals and 11 assists in 50 appearances, but he put in some very influential performances. However, since then, his form has taken a nosedive. He struggled to make an impact last season and, due to fitness problems, he has only made one substitute appearance so far this campaign.
The City star could get a chance to shine over the coming weeks
With the club having decided against replacing Julian Alvarez, manager Pep Guardiola is likely to get creative in terms of team selection.
Erling Haaland can’t play every game but he is the only recognised No.9 in the squad so there are expected to be plenty of occasions where midfielders and wide men are asked to play down the middle. It could leave the door open for Grealish to get some minutes off the left flank.
