Jack Grealish has claimed that Manchester City have a figure who is the undisputed best in football history.
Kevin De Bruyne is a name that instantly pops up when claims such as the one made by the Englishman present themselves.
Joe Cole claimed that the 32-year-old is the best midfielder in Premier League history while emphasising that he is superior to the likes of Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Paul Scholes.
Even as far as the game’s greatest midfielders in general go, it would be fair to claim that the Belgian’s name can be mentioned in the same breath as a legend like Andres Iniesta and Andrea Pirlo.
De Bruyne’s individual talent, consistency, longevity and the fact that he has won everything, at least at club level is sufficient for him to be named amongst names like Iniesta and Pirlo.
Such is the brilliance of the Manchester City vice-captain.
Similarly, as far as one-versus-one defending goes, Kyle Walker has a similar claim to his name as well, alongside the likes of full-backs like Paulo Maldini and Ashley Cole.
Jack Grealish says Manchester City man is the greatest of all time
Gary Neville, who has been viewed as the best right-back in Premier League history for years admitted his fellow countryman deserves to be recognised as the undisputed best.
Such are the strides Walker has taken since joining City.
Of course, not many, if any fans or pundits would crown the England international as the best right-back football has ever seen.
Especially when the likes of Philipp Lahm and Cafu have also graced the beautiful game.
But as a one-versus-one right-back, it can be argued whether either Cafu or Lahm had the same fear factor Walker did.
The 33-year-old is one-of-a-kind in this respect.
But Grealish did not name either De Bruyne or Walker while singing a colleague’s praises.
Instead, Jack Grealish stated that Pep Guardiola is the greatest manager in the history of the game.
“Playing for this manager, the only ever person who has been able to go and do what they want in a Pep [Guardiola] team is [Lionel] Messi, which is fair enough. You can’t knock what the manager has done, he’s an incredible manager, a great guy with a really good heart as well”, he said about the £378,846-a-week man [via Manchester Evening News].
Grealish added, “At times this season, I have struggled a little bit with myself and he’s been there for me all the time. I owe him a lot. He’s a great person and the best manager to ever exist.”
“It’s been a difficult season for me personally after the highs of last year. I spoke to the manager a lot and he’s been so good with me. I owe him a little bit and want to repay him now with my performances and the team as well.”
Much like Jack Grealish, Gerard Pique also referred to Pep Guardiola as “the best coach in the history of football.”
Lovely to hear how supportive Pep Guardiola has been of Jack Grealish
Considering several fans, players and pundits make such a claim about Pep Guardiola, the praise from Jack Grealish is not entirely surprising.
But it is refreshing to hear the former Aston Villa attacker shine a light on how the tactical genius has been as supportive as he has been of him.
Jack Grealish has not had the easiest of seasons.
But in trying times, it is key for a manager like Pep Guardiola to lend him a helping hand, which he seems to have.
Tactics are key in football but so is being a man-manager and the impression one gets is that he has done a fantastic job at that with Grealish.
No wonder the 28-year-old looks back to his best, judging by his previous two outings in the Premier League.