Grealish's career has become a cautionary tale

In May 2019, Jack Grealish climbed the steps at Wembley in a pair of worn-out boots to make Aston Villa's return to the Premier League official. Villa had beaten Derby County in the Championship play-off final. For the club, this rise meant escaping a period in which it had lost its way.

Grealish had helped the side he captained put together a record run of wins to reach the play-offs. Like his manager Dean Smith, he was passionately attached to the club. It was widely believed that he would become a great English footballer and shine in the Premier League as he had in the second tier. As the trophy was lifted, its edge cut his eyebrow. The moment seemed to sum up a player who was both gifted and self-sabotaging.

Grealish kept Villa in the Premier League after a three-year absence, and he became an important player there. He then moved to Manchester City for a fee of 100 million pounds. There, he won the treble in the 2022/23 season, but he had to give up a significant part of his individual style. His two loan spells at Everton were also unremarkable.

For Villa fans, this picture is painful. A player who loved the club and could have spent the best years of his career there chose a different path, and that upsets many people. Trophies and international recognition brought him rewards, but they also left him vulnerable to the self-destructive side of his character. His frequent appearances in the headlines during his time at Villa were a sign of this tendency.