Kevin De Bruyne
Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish has been taking notes on Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne to improve his own game. The 25-year-old explained how he has been watching clips of De Bruyne to take his game to the next level.
Jack Grealish said “De Bruyne is my favourite player. I think he is probably the most perfect footballer in the Prem. I try and take little bits really out of his game. Although I had a good season last year, if you actually looked at it my big chances created weren’t as high as other people in my position. This year my expected assists I think is the highest, and my big chances created is up there as well, so that’s what I wanted to improve on, and that was obviously really looking at De Bruyne and his game and what he does.”
De Bruyne was said to have reported back to manager Pep Guardiola about Grealish having been impressed by the Villa No.10’s performance for England against Belgium in November. Grealish is a doubt for Saturday’s clash against Wolves having missed the last two matches with a leg injury he picked up in training. Dean Smith responded to the praise being showered on his skipper –
Dean Smith said “He’s just a fantastic player. Every game you watch him at the moment he’s just playing at a different level. He’s getting better and better and I never thought I’d be saying that, such was his standard (performances) before. He’s playing well, works hard in training and works hard off the pitch as well. He’s got a real work ethic to get better. He’s pushing the other players now as well which is great to see.”
Grealish is enjoying another outstanding campaign for Villa, leading his side’s cause with six goals and 10 assists in 22 league matches – only Tottenham striker and England teammate Harry Kane has more in both columns. That form has put Grealish in the running for the Footballer of the Year award with the likes of Gary Lineker recently tipping the England international to land the gong.
