After signing for Manchester City at 100m, Jack Grealish is now the most expensive English footballer.It's official: Jack Grealish is now the most expensive English footballer ever.The 25-year old joins Manchester City to spend 100m. This is more than the 80m Manchester United spent in 2019 on Harry Maguire. He also swaps Aston Villa with Manchester City to get his chance at superstardom.Since his 18th birthday, he has made great strides since then. He spent a season at Notts County on loan in 2013, and has been a key part in getting Aston Villa back into Premier League.BBC Sport looks at what Grealish will bring Manchester City's team, which was already bursting with attacking talent. Also, why Pep Guardiola broke the club's transfer record by bringing Grealish to Etihad Stadium."There is enough room for Jack"Grealish, who was the first name on Villa's team sheet, may have had a taste of life at City during the European Championship - and may need patience.He played in only one of England's seven matches, against the Czech Republic. However, he made four more appearances as a substitute. He was substituted by Gareth Southgate, who shuffled his team in the semi-final against Denmark.Grealish played only 21 minutes in the final against Italy. Given Pep Guardiola’s tendency to rotate his teams, Grealish may have to share the duties of regular starters like Raheem Sterling and Phil Foden.Guardiola chose Grealish despite the fact that he has so many attacking talents available. What is the new signing offering that is different?"You could place Jack in City’s front three on the left or right, or as a false 9 - or further back, in midfield, or really anywhere," ex-City and Villa defender Micah Richards said. He identified Grealish in May as someone City should sign."He was brilliant at Villa this season, before injuries sidelined him. But I believe he would be at the top of his game at City."City aimed for a quadruple in 2020-21. They won the Premier League and Carabao Cup but lost in the FA Cup semi finals and the Champions League to Chelsea.Compared Grealish and Man City attackers - 2020-21 Grealish sterling Foden Mahrez Silva De Bruyne games played 26 31 28 27 26 26 Goals 6 109 9 2 6 Assists 11 7 5 6 12 Chances created 8139 36 44 27 80 Dribbles 65 66 38 41 48 Fouls won110 41 34 30 18 31Grealish has a player with 16 goals involvements (6 goals, 10 assists) last season. They also created 81 chances which is more than any City players, De Bruyne included.He also carried more balls (543) than his team-mates. His 65 dribbles were a better total than Sterling's 66. But it may be his ability to score free-kicks that makes the difference.Grealish was fouled 110-times last term, more than any Premier League player. With De Bruyne's and Mahrez's potent set-pieces, it could mean more scoring opportunities for John Stones, a centre-back who scored five goals in the last campaign.Richards stated that Foden is a fast player who can quickly turn with the ball and run away from other players to look for the pass. This is what makes Foden so fascinating to watch."But part of why he plays so well at City is because of his players around him - he always runs runners this way and that, giving him options and space.Jack at Villa is a man who has the ability to create things on his own. His dribbling and delivery are both top-notch, and he can change a game."Foden is a remarkable man and will be a main man for City for many years to come, but there is still room for Jack."Sterling, Foden, and Grealish could be England's attack line for the major tournaments. Tottenham's Harry Kane is also linked to a move at Etihad Stadium. The Three Lions could make up an all-Manchester City frontline.How does Grealish fit in your Man City XI lineup? Select your Manchester City starting lineup and line-up.Select formation Confirm team"If he had stayed in Villa, he would have been immortal."Villa were in the Championship when Dean Smith gave the captaincy of Villa to Grealish because he "leads with example". They were promoted to the Premier League at end of 2018-19 season.They were able to survive in the top flight the next campaign, securing the fourth-from-bottom spot on final day, before climbing to finish 11th last year.Dave Woodhall, editor at Villa fanzine Heroes & Villains said that "At Villa he became the talisman, and everything went through his hands." We will see if he is as effective as "just another player" at Manchester City.He will succeed at City, but he would have been immortal if he had stayed in Villa. We were able to see him grow up and become a great talent. He was the center of the club."There were some years where he was inconsistent at Villa, but in the last couple of years, he really burst onto the scene big style. He has become world-class."He's always been Villa's big star - but how will he react to being part of a team without him?"Grealish has been criticized a lot during his rise to fame. External-link accusations of diving have been levelled at Grealish on the pitch. In March 2020, he publicly apologized externally for violating lockdown rules. After admitting to two motoring offenses, he was stopped from driving in December.Woodhall stated that he helps the community and has done a lot with individuals."He comes across as a decent, nice guy who does what he loves, and does it well.""City's rivals should not be worried"Simon Stone, BBC Sport:"It's a testament to the drive of Pep Guardianiola and the ambition of Manchester City, that Jack Grealish, despite being one of Europe's most creative players, was targeted to improve them."Grealish has shown in extended moments that his vision and invention can allow him to excel at the highest levels.Guardiola is the one to answer those who claim he hasn't done it at the highest level or that he can drift away from games or that Villa's work revolves too heavily around him."Grealish will be prohibited from coasting, showboating, or resting. Guardiola won't allow it. Guardiola will take action if he notices it."There is a argument Grealish may not be able to start. Raheem Sterling and Phil Foden are both capable of operating on Grealish's left flank, where his new team-mate does their most effective work.Guardiola will not be bothered by this. Guardiola will make his decision based on merit and not the amount of a transfer fee. City's rivals are the only ones who should be concerned about this agreement.
