‘Knows ball’, ‘Good attitude as expected’ – Man City fans reacts as Aston Viilla boss drops Jack Grealish revelation

Aston Viilla boss Dean Smith has admitted that Jack Grealish is the best player he has ever worked with following the playmaker’s move to Manchester City.

Grealish signed on a six-year contract in a British record transfer after making clear his wishes to play Champions League football this season, with City triggering a nine-figure release clause in his contract to get the deal done.

The 25-year-old made his City debut in the Community Shield defeat to Leicester as a substitute just two days after signing, and will be hopeful of making a better start to his career up north in the Premier League against Tottenham on the opening day of the season.

The Villa manager Dean Smith says everyone at the club is disappointed but understands why Jack Grealish chose to leave and sign for Manchester City.

Speaking to Sky Sports News, the Aston Villa manager revealed that his former captain is the best talent he has managed so far in his coaching career.

“We at Aston Villa are probably 18 months behind where we needed to be to keep Jack but Jack will show his worth on the highest stage of all in the Champions League, as he did in the Euros in the summer,” he said.

“We’re all disappointed that Jack chose to leave the football club because he meant a lot to all of us. But we also understand why he left as well and we wish him well apart from when he plays against Aston Villa.

“He’s a unique player, a unique character and I can honestly say he’s the best player I’ve worked with and I’ve really enjoyed helping to develop Jack into the person he is today.

“In terms of where Jack can go he’ll thrive at the highest level. It’s what he was born to do.”

These Smith’s comments has prompt Plenty of Sky Blues to react on social media.

Dean Smith knows ball

— Dylan🇦🇺🇳🇴 (@McfcDylan2019) August 11, 2021

Sounds like a reasonable managers take on it. I'm sure he is gutted but at the end of the day want's his player to thrive. Good attitude as expected from him 👏

— Mark Jeffery (@Mark_Jeffery1) August 11, 2021

Hope he is better for City than he was at the Euros ffs!

— Fat Jack (@paulgoggins67) August 11, 2021

We didn’t get to see him fully cook at the euros because we got a Fraud incharge

— 𝓶𝓬𝓯𝓬𝓜𝓪𝓽𝓽 (@MattHarl42) August 11, 2021

Hope he’s not the player we saw at the Euros, he was massively over-hyped and didn’t deliver very much.

— Jonathan Aitken (@DrJonAitken) August 11, 2021