Don't make Jack the scapegoat..he's still learning the Pep way

A CHAMPIONS League semifinal in the Bernabeu, an FA Cup semi-final at Wembley, a good chance of a Premier League winners' medal, a likely place in England's World Cup squad, reports of a seven-figure contract with Gucci, a rumoured £300,000-a-week salary.

- ANDY DUNN

Where did it all go wrong for Jack Grealish? There is, of course, no doubt his first season in Manchester City colours could have gone better but the idea that Grealish has been some sort of disastrous signing is ridiculous.

He is an easy target, not least because of the £100million price tag, but that figure was the release clause set by his former club and his representatives.

And considering the source of City's wealth, that figure is not overly relevant. It is just a stick with which to beat Grealish. And, boy, does Jack take some stick? He was trending - and not in a good way - on social media after Pep Guardiola's team somehow found a way of losing their Champions League semi-final tie against Real Madrid. It was as though his cameo was somehow an emblem for City's collapse.