Jack Grealish bids would follow promotion miss, says Aston Villa boss Dean Smith
Thursday 25 April 2019 15:51, UK
Dean Smith believes Jack Grealish will be a target for Premier League clubs if Aston Villa do not get promoted, but he thinks the midfielder will be happy to stay put.
The 23-year-old, who signed a new five-year contract with the Sky Bet Championship club last September, was named in the Championship Team of the Year on Wednesday.
Grealish missed the early part of the year through injury but he returned as captain and played a key part in Villa's record-breaking run of 10 wins in a row to ensure a place in the play-offs.
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Speaking ahead of Sunday's game against Leeds, live on Sky Sports Football, the Aston Villa manager acknowledged that there will be interest in Grealish if they fail to seal the third promotion place.
"I would have thought it would be crazy that we didn't get bids for him but he has committed his future to the football club," said Smith.
"He's got a long-term contract, he's a Villa fan. He's captain as well so there's an awful lot of things for him to stay at this football club for."
Smith was asked if Grealish, who has scored four times since returning in the 4-0 win over Derby at the beginning of March, is the best player in the Championship?
"I believe so, he's the best player I've worked with," added Smith. "Natural ability but a strong work ethic and a strong mind set as well, which probably people don't see.
"He's very well respected in the dressing room but he's getting pushed an awful lot at this football club, not just in the league, to be the best player.
"Tammy Abraham, John McGinn has been fantastic all season. Tyrone Mings has come in and excelled so we've got some really good players here.
"But I said when I first worked with him what a talented player he was. What he has started bringing to his game now is goals and assists and he has started to become the player he can be."
