Transfer Centre

Paul Scholes urges Jack Grealish to leave Aston Villa

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 03 March 2021

Manchester United legend Paul Scholes urges Red Devils-linked winger Jack Grealish to leave Aston Villa if he wants to prove himself as a top player.

Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has urged Jack Grealish to leave Aston Villa if he wants to prove himself as a top player.

The 25-year-old has excelled for Dean Smith's side this season with six goals and 12 assists in the Premier League, and accordingly he continues to be linked with a big-money move to Old Trafford.

Grealish committed his future to Villa until 2025 last summer, but Scholes believes that the winger needs to play for a Champions League-competing club to display his true qualities.

Speaking to Optus Sports over Grealish's PFA Player of the Year chances, Scholes said: "Don't get me wrong, I love the player, but if he was doing this at Man United, Liverpool, City, one of the top clubs, then he'd be up there, he'd possibly be top three.

"There is no pressure on Villa. If he is at a top club then he needs to win every week. He needs to leave Villa to prove that (he is a top player).

"Jack Grealish is probably the same (as Paolo Di Canio). It is all about him at Aston Villa. He needs to get out now to a club that need to win every week, there is pressure to deliver trophies. He is capable of doing it, but there will always be a doubt until you do it."

Grealish has missed Villa's last three Premier League matches with a calf problem, and Smith's side suffered in the absence of their captain on Wednesday as they lost 1-0 at Sheffield United.