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Why Jack Grealish staying at Villa is good for all parties

Aston Villa fans were able to celebrate some huge news for the club when it was confirmed their captain, star player and hometown hero Jack Grealish has signed a new long-term contract.

Grealish is now committed to staying at Villa Park until 2025 – theoretically, at least – and it is positive for the Premier League as a whole, as well as for Villa.

The benefit for Villa is obvious. They get to keep a player who created more chances in last season’s Premier League than anyone other than Manchester City superstar Kevin De Bruyne, a local icon and a new England international whose importance to the team cannot be undersold.

“It is my club, my home and I am very happy here” said Grealish, who has been with Villa since the age of eight. “The owners have made it very clear to me how ambitious they are and how they want to build Aston Villa. There are exciting times ahead and I am very glad to be part of it.”

While Villa might not be pushing for Champions League qualification any time soon, the fact they were able to keep hold of Grealish shows elite talent is spread throughout the Premier League.

 

Why didn’t anyone buy Jack Grealish?

 

Jack Grealish has been linked with a move away from Villa for some time, with Tottenham having made a bid for him two years ago. Daniel Levy was reported to have offered just £4 million for the playmaker, with Villa in severe financial strife at the time.

While they were said to be willing to do a deal for £6 million, Levy would not budge and Grealish stayed at Villa to lead them to promotion after a takeover improved their financial position.

Following a strong first season back in the Premier League with Villa – he scored the goal that secured survival for the club he grew up supporting just a few weeks ago – Grealish was again the subject of intense transfer speculation.

Manchester United were said to be keen but, with Villa now demanding £80 million for their prize asset, boss Dean Smith has confirmed they did not receive a bid for Jack Grealish this summer.

Effectively, Villa priced Grealish out of a move by demanding what would be close to a British transfer record for a player who only made his first international appearance earlier this month.

Had a club coughed up the asking price for Grealish, it would have immediately made him one of the 15 most expensive footballers of all time – remarkable for a player with just a couple of seasons at the highest level on his record.

There is no way any club was ever going to pay that much for Jack Grealish and, with Villa now backed by mega-rich duo Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens, it is clear they did not have to sell a player it would be impossible to replace, given what he means to Villa supporters.

 

Is the age of player power ending?

 

Grealish was always unlikely to try and push for a move, making any deal a non-starter.

The Premier League minnows, the likes of Burnley and Brighton, are still among the richest clubs in world football these days. Teams in the top-flight are mostly backed by billionaires.

Even at Turf Moor, where the financial impact of COVID-19 has hit harder than at most Premier League clubs, the Clarets can afford to turn down a bid of £30 million for England international defender James Tarkowski from West Ham.

In turn, West Ham have thus far been able to hold on to Declan Rice, a player who has come through the club’s academy to become an England regular under Gareth Southgate. Despite a fairly underwhelming start to his Three Lions career, West Ham want £80 million for Rice.

As with Jack Grealish, it is a simple truth that nobody is going to pay £80 million for Rice. Chelsea are said to be keen but, with £200 million already lavished on their squad rebuild, they need to sell squad players if they are to raise the necessary funds to finance a move for the 21-year-old.

It all means talent is spread throughout the league perhaps more than ever before. England’s goalkeeper plays for Everton. The lynchpin of their most recent defence is the captain of Wolves. Kalvin Phillips started for the Three Lions before making his Premier League debut.

The top six might be the top six again this season but there are stars to watch everywhere.

 


 

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