Former footballer and current BBC Sport pundit, Chris Sutton, has recently made headlines with his controversial statement about Manchester City's star player, Jack Grealish. According to Sutton, Grealish is one of the five worst divers in the history of football.
Grealish has often been criticized for going down too easily during matches. This criticism isn't new; it followed him from his time at Aston Villa and continues to be a point of contention among fans and pundits alike. Despite this reputation, it's worth noting that he is also one of the most fouled players in the Premier League.
During the 2021/2022 season alone, instances such as when he came off the bench against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final second leg saw him being fouled repeatedly. The Spanish giants' reaction to his arrival was puzzling for many observers.
Chris Sutton names Harry Kane as the worst diver of all-time
Sutton didn't stop at just criticizing Grealish; he also listed the five worst divers in football history, including: 1. Harry Kane - Bayern Munich, 2. Bruno Fernandes - Manchester United, 3. Cristiano Ronaldo - Al-Nassr, 4. Jack Grealish - Manchester City, 5. Todd Cantwell - Rangers
It should be noted that these rankings are subjective and based solely on Sutton’s personal opinion.
While some may agree with Sutton's assessment, others argue that it is unfair to label Grealish as a diver outrightly. A diver typically goes down too easily quite frequently but this doesn’t seem entirely true for Grealish who tries his best to ride challenges and stay on his feet during games.
Grealish is mostly at receiving end against defenders in games
The 28-year-old Manchester City player seems to have a knack for knowing when and how to win fouls, but he only does so based on the flow of the game. He doesn't constantly try to win penalties and free-kicks without reason.
Moreover, Grealish often faces brutal tackles from midfielders and defenders. Not many players would be able to stay on their feet when faced with such challenges.
While Sutton's comments have stirred up controversy among sports fans, it's important to remember that football is a game of opinions. Whether or not one agrees with Sutton's assessment of Grealish as one of the worst divers in football history, there is no denying his skill and impact on the pitch.
