Michael Bridges has expressed frustration with Jack Grealish’s style of play when he sees the Manchester City player in action. The pundit outlined the challenges that could arise for a striker playing alongside Grealish on The Optus Sport Football Podcast, despite Pep Guardiola commending the 28-year-old’s recent performances.
Observing Jack Grealish’s gameplay “irritates the hell” out of Michael Bridges, who highlighted the contrast between Grealish and winger Jeremy Doku, who joined Manchester City last summer and possesses remarkable dribbling skills in Europe. Bridges detailed his frustrations with Grealish’s approach, emphasizing how he tends to frequently pass the ball back to the left-back instead of providing clear opportunities for strikers.
As a striker visualizing Grealish’s actions, Bridges expressed disappointment at Grealish’s tendency to return the ball rather than taking on defenders or providing goal-scoring opportunities, unlike Doku. He noted that Doku’s style involves taking risks and setting up opportunities for forwards, contrasting Grealish’s more selective approach.
Bridges seemed to overlook the significance of Grealish in Manchester City’s tactical setup, particularly in the previous season, where wingers like Bernardo Silva and Grealish were tasked with defensive responsibilities, while the midfield duo of Gundogan and De Bruyne handled more direct attacking duties.
This season, Jeremy Doku appears to have more freedom in leading the offensive strategy, allowing Grealish to choose moments to drift inside and contribute aggressively to the team’s forward movement. Despite Grealish’s slightly restrained approach compared to Doku’s daring style, Grealish’s adaptability and significant contributions, especially in high-profile matches like the October Manchester Derby, showcase his importance to the team’s overall attacking dynamics.
