Former Newcastle United star Chris Waddle has tipped Jack Grealish with a move to St. James' Park but labelled a key issue with the Englishman.
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Grealish tipped to leave Man City this summerWaddle believes that Grealish could join NewcastleNames one major issue that has dogged the starFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Manchester City star Grealish is tipped for an exit from the Etihad this summer, almost four years after having joined Pep Guardiola's side from Aston Villa. The once-promising Englishman has struggled for form with the Citizens and has also lost his place in the Three Lions squad over the course of the years.
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Grealish has been linked with a number of Premier League clubs and also Serie A champions Napoli. However, Waddle has claimed that the 29-year-old could be headed to St. James' Park before telling him to avoid clubs that plan to play him on the wings. He also named a major issue that has hurt the England international's status.
Getty Images SportWHAT WADDLE SAID
During an exclusive with online-casinos.com, Waddle said: "The problem with Jack Grealish is that it’s never quite clear where to play him. I don't think Jack Grealish is a left-sided winger, or a winger at all really. I think he's a midfield player who likes to get on the ball and float around and get involved. I think when he's on the wing, I don't think Jack's a dribbler. I don't think he's a winger personally. We know he can control the ball and pass it well, but he's not a dribbler. And I think if someone was going to buy him, you'd be thinking, I want him to play more as a central player, as a No. 10, rather than No. 11. Jack has got to look at whoever wants to take him where he's going to play.
"If Eddie wants him he’ll have to work out how to play him through the middle, and I think being on the wing has cost him his full potential. When he was at Villa he had a free role that suited him, and at City it’s all gone wrong on the wing. He rarely gets on the pitch, even more rarely does he finish a game he starts. He’s on the bench most of the time.
"At Newcastle or whoever buys him, they’ll need to use him as one of three in midfield, and if someone offers him the chance to play on the left again, he should make sure he says no."
WHAT NEXT FOR GREALISH?
The England international has been said to be open to a move from City as he is keen on impressing England boss Thomas Tuchel in a bid to be selected for the Three Lions' 2026 World Cup squad.