Shay Given insists his former teammate Jack Grealish still walks into any starting XI in the Premier League – including those of Liverpool and Chelsea.
Having played a starring role in Manchester City’s treble triumph two seasons ago, Grealish has fallen out of favour at the Etihad, starting just 16 matches in all competitions in the 2024-25 campaign.
The 29-year-old found himself left out the squad for City’s final game of the Premier League against Fulham in May. A week later, he left among the subs for the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace where Pep Guardiola opted to call upon 19-year-old Claudio Echeverri for his debut over the £100million man as City chased an equaliser that never came.
That fee City paid Aston Villa four years ago still stands as a British transfer record but Grealish’s time at the club looks to be up with the expected arrivals of Rayan Cherki and Tijjani Reijnders set to push him further down the pecking order.
Tottenham, Newcastle United and former side Villa are among those to have been credited with interest in the attacking midfielder with latest reports suggest he could be available for £40m.
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Former City goalkeeper Given, who also played alongside Grealish at Villa Park after he emerged from the club’s academy, is convinced there will be a long list of potential destinations.
The former Republic of Ireland star recalled Grealish’s ‘phenomenal’ performance for England against the Boys in Green in September last year, confident he can still produce those performances at the highest level.
‘I think Jack has been a generational talent, I really do,’ Given told Metro. ‘I think Jack can play for every single team in the country.
‘I remember not so long ago he was playing a central role for England when they played Ireland last year, he was the star man, he was phenomenal that day.
‘He is only 29, he still has three or four brilliant years ahead of him at the top. Having not played recently, he will be really hungry to go out there and show how good he is.
‘I wouldn’t want to name clubs but at the same time I think he walks into any team in the country, that even includes Liverpool or Chelsea or anyone. I think he just needs to be given a batch of games to show how good he is back in that central position and not out wide.’
Grealish set to miss out on Club World Cup
Grealish is not expected to be part of the City squad for the Club World Cup with their campaign underway against Wydad AC on 18 June in Philadelphia – with Given part of the DAZN broadcast team covering the event.
A move could be on the cards very soon and while City would prefer a permanent move get the player’s £300,000-a-week wages off the books, a loan could also be considered.
Given believes there still could be a way back at City for Grealish in the long-term, but has urged him to find a club where he can get back to playing regular football.
‘Reading between the lines, the writing is on the wall,’ Newcastle legend Given said. ‘I’m not sure what the situation is but it doesn’t look like he is going to travel with the squad.
‘We have to see what happens, maybe it is time to try and find a new opportunity elsewhere. Maybe on a loan deal somewhere, go do well and maybe come back to City. So it might not be in the end of the road, I don’t know.
‘But what I do know is Jack just wants to get back to playing football again. That’s the most important thing.’
Shay Given was speaking ahead of the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup 2025. Watch all 63 games live on DAZN for free.