Sky Sports pundit Lee Hendrie believes that Aston Villa will need to gain promotion to the Premier League this season or face the prospect of losing Jack Grealish.
He says it is a compliment to the Villa mainstay that some of the top clubs were circulating around him, but says that he must remain consistent if he is to attract more attention.
Hendrie says that the ace’s ability is what is going to attract clubs to his services, and added that Villa have a fight on their hands if they fail in yet another attempt to get back into the top-flight for the 2019/20 campaign.
“I really think so,” Hendrie said on the Sky Sports broadcast [7/12] when asked whether Villa would be able to keep him.
“Last season and the start of this season, you’ve got big clubs sniffing around, which is a big compliment to Jack. He’s got to now take it to that next step where he has got to be consistent – which we are seeing – under Dean, it’s going to suit him better.
“He’s getting goals and he’s creating, he’s going to attract more people that is for sure. In my eyes, if Villa don’t make it this season, I think they’ll do well to keep hold of him, I really do.”
OPINION
It is not a surprise that Hendrie has made this claim about Grealish, as he is without a doubt one of the standout players in the squad. He attracted the likes of Tottenham in the summer and he would have slotted into their style of play perfectly, but unfortunately, that move did not work out. Nevertheless, the club must be counting their lucky stars that they still have a player like him on the books, as he is one of the players who could prove to be absolutely pivotal in their quest for promotion. Villa obviously want to succeed in this attempt after failing to do so via the play-offs last season, but Hendrie is right – they will do well to keep hold of him if they do not achieve their coveted aim. There will come a time where he will be too good for the Championship – so here is hoping that Villa reach their goal.