Pep Guardiola's Lionel Messi decision for Man City shows Jack Grealish route back to first XI

23.10.2023 - 07:29 manchestereveningnews.co.uk

Pep Guardiola invested absolutely everything when Manchester City became the first British outfit to break the £100million barrier to sign Jack Grealish - and not solely in financial terms.

The staggering price tag - which has been matched by three Premier League players since that 2021 transfer - has regularly been held up against Grealish directly as a barometer for performance levels.

But while the sizable cheque signed over for his signature was jaw-dropping, any criticism on his part is missing the point.

Aston Villa would not have sold had the champions not activated his release clause. Beyond his or, perhaps, any player's market value, it spoke volumes about what boyhood club Villa knew they had at their disposal and what City wanted to get their hands on. ALSO READ: Haaland rarity in moments missed against Brighton ALSO READ: Doku sends message to City teammates after victory Around that same time, City were desperate for a striker.

Barcelona Celebrity show stage UPS performer route Lionel Messi Jack Grealish Harry Kane Britain

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Manchester City and England ace Jack Grealish is among those to have benefited from the coaching of Gillingham’s new boss Stephen Clemence.

Newcastle ends Man United’s defense of League Cup after 3-0 win

MANCHESTER, England: Manchester United’s defense of the League Cup ended with a 3-0 loss against Newcastle at Old Trafford on Wednesday that heaped more pressure on manager Erik ten Hag. An eighth defeat of the season in all competitions was the latest blow for English soccer’s most storied club, which looks in danger of suffering another season of disappointment. United lost 3-0 at home to Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday and Saudi-backed Newcastle repeated that scoreline to raise further questions over Ten Hag’s ability to return the club to its former glories. First-half goals from substitute Miguel Almiron and Lewis Hall put the visitors in control by the break and Joe Willock completed the scoring after an hour. United had won the cup in February by beating Newcastle at Wembley Stadium as Ten Hag ended the club’s six-year wait for silverware. But that is a distant memory now as his team’s season descended deeper into crisis. The Dutch coach, who won three league titles with Ajax, was mocked by Newcastle’s fans throughout the game as they chanted that he would be fired in the morning.

Pep Guardiola U-turn hints at Man City plan for immediate future

Manchester City played better against Manchester United than they did against Arsenal.

Messi wins record-extending 8th Ballon d'Or over Manchester City's Erling Haaland, PSG's Kylian Mbappé

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Lionel Messi Pips Erling Haaland And Kylian Mbappe To Win Ballon d'Or 2023

Lionel Messi won the Ballon d'Or for the eighth time in his career at a star-studded ceremony in Paris on Monday. Messi, 36, succeeds Karim Benzema as winner of the prize, awarded for his performances last season, when he inspired Argentina to glory at the World Cup. It was his displays in Qatar, when Messi dragged his country to a victory that crowned his remarkable career, that allowed Messi to see off stiff competition from Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland in particular. Haaland came second in the final voting, with Mbappe third and Kevin De Bruyne in fourth place.

Lionel Messi wins Ballon d’Or for eighth time

PARIS: Lionel Messi won the Ballon d’Or for the eighth time in his career at a star-studded ceremony in Paris on Monday. Messi, 36, succeeds Karim Benzema as winner of the prize, awarded for his performances last season, when he inspired Argentina to glory at the World Cup in Qatar. It was his displays in the Gulf, when Messi dragged his country to a victory that crowned his remarkable career, that allowed Messi to see off stiff competition from Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland in particular. Haaland came second in the final voting, with Mbappe third and Kevin De Bruyne in fourth place. Former Barcelona superstar Messi scored seven times at the World Cup and was named the tournament’s best player after Argentina beat France on penalties in the final in Doha. Yet Messi, who won his first Ballon d’Or in 2009, also had an underwhelming final season at Paris Saint-Germain, before leaving to play for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer. His old PSG teammate Mbappe made his case with his remarkable performances at the World Cup, which he finished as the top scorer on eight goals after netting a hat-trick in the final for France. Norway striker Haaland scored an incredible 52 goals in 53 games for Manchester City as Pep Guardiola’s side won the treble of English Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League. He and De Bruyne were among members of that City team who were nominated.