Graeme Souness goes after Jack Grealish AGAIN - as he accuses the Manchester City winger of being 'predictable' and says he takes 'too many touches'

Graeme Souness has criticised Jack Grealish again and has claimed that the Manchester City winger is too predictable.

Grealish came off the bench to score in Tottenham's 3-3 draw against Manchester City and could have had another goal late on but referee Simon Hooper controversially pulled play back for a foul on Erling Haaland.

However, the winger faces competition for his place from Jeremy Doku and Souness praised the Belgian in his Mail Sport column, while stating that Grealish takes too many touches.

Souness reiterated that point by suggesting that Grealish, whose goal against Tottenham was his first for City this season, does not have enough end product. 

Speaking on talkSPORT, Souness said: 'Ultimately there has to be an end product. Skip past one, get it in early. Don't skip past one, skip past two and lose it to the third man. 

'Jack doesn't see it early enough and that's why he takes touches. I don't believe any coach would tell any player not Jack, any player, to dwell on the ball as much as he does.

'I don't see him going to the byline enough. You don't want to become predictable. Right now he's predictable. As someone who scores goals you have to be unpredictable.'

Doku, who joined City from Rennes in the summer, has made a significant impact so far this season as he has caught the eye with his directness.

Souness praised Doku and stated that Grealish often flatters to deceive.

In addition, Souness claimed that if City were to put Grealish up for sale then there wouldn't be many clubs interested in him.

Souness said: 'It's come to an impasse because of Doku. He excites me, he's direct and I said that in an article. If you're playing against someone who wants to get you isolated one on one, Doku frightens the life out of you.

'I'm not his (Grealish) biggest fan, I think he flatters to deceive. You put Jack on the market tomorrow, who's buying him, for how much?

Asked by Jim White if Grealish would get in the Liverpool team, Souness replied: 'No, he's a rascal, he's great to have a night out with.' 

Grealish joined City from Aston Villa for £100million in 2021 and endured some difficulties in his first season at the club before shining last campaign as he helped Pep Guardiola's team to win the treble.

This season, however, Grealish has had further struggles and it will be intriguing to see whether he can re-establish himself as a key figure for City.

Writing his Mail Sport column, Souness stressed that the vast majority of full-backs would rather face Doku than Grealish.

In addition, Souness stated that given that he is 28 years old Grealish is at a crossroads in his City career.  

Souness wrote: 'Ask 10 full-backs if they’d rather play against Doku or Grealish, and I think it would be Grealish every time. Defenders don’t like pace and players who are direct. The way it is today, you dangle a leg and that’s a penalty. Grealish isn’t showing any intent to get by defenders.

'He is, for me, at a crossroads in his City career. Doku is 21 years old and is only going to improve. Jack is 28. He needs to have a close look at himself. He should be in his pomp. Between 26 and 30 you have the knowledge, you’re physically and mentally stronger. He will not be getting any better. This should be his time.'

'So, if I was him, I would be very concerned. I’d be sitting in front of the manager and asking him, ‘How do you see it for me? I’ve won all these trophies with you but the new guy is the go-to player in my position.’