Shaun Derry reckons that Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish is the “best player outside of the top-flight”.
He says he has been impressed with the way that the Villa player has remained loyal to the cause despite having a number of clubs interested in signing him, and he also praised Aston Villa for the way that they have remained loyal to him.
Derry says that the 23-year-old is more than capable of playing for a club in the Premier League top-six due to the fact that he has maintained his form over a number of years.
“I was fortunate enough to inherit Jack as a player for Notts County when I got the management job there. He was on loan as a 17-year-old from Villa, and I’d probably say that without him there, Notts County would have got relegated,” he said on talkSPORT 2.
“He was absolutely phenomenal for us, even as a kid. He’s learnt, and he’s made his mistakes, and he’s been courted by these big clubs, and he has stayed loyal to Aston Villa, and they have stayed loyal to him at certain times too,”
“Can he play for a top-six club? Absolutely. I think he is the best player outside of the top-flight. He’s sustained it over a number of years.”
"If we didn't have @JackGrealish1 as a 17-year-old, Notts County would have been relegated."
"I think he's the best player outside the top flight."
Shaun Derry has high praise for his former player, #AVFC's Jack Grealish ?? pic.twitter.com/t99PjprwHp
— talkSPORT 2 (@talkSPORT2) April 25, 2019
OPINION
Grealish has been untested in the Premier League thus far, so it remains to be seen just how he would get on in such an environment. However, the signs he has showed this season indicate that he is more than capable of playing in the top-flight – but surely the big step up to a top-six team from the Championship is too much? There is no denying the talent he has, that is for sure – but he needs to experience at least one season there with Villa before he joins one of the top six. If he were to impress during that time, then those clubs will know that he is more than capable of doing a decent job for them. That being said though, he thoroughly deserves the praise that Derry has directed his way here. Villa would not be the same team without him there, and you cannot help but think just how pivotal he will be in the play-offs.