Manchester City winger Jack Grealish was happier on the pitch at Aston Villa.

That is according to Rio Ferdinand, who thinks that Grealish is sacrificing happiness as a footballer to win major trophies at City.

So, what has the former Manchester United defender said about Manchester City and Jack Grealish? Let’s take a look.

What’s the story?

Well, according to Rio Ferdinand, Jack Grealish was happier on the pitch at Aston Villa than he is at Manchester City.

The former Manchester United defender, though, does not think that Jeremy Doku is better than Grealish at the moment.

The pundit believes that Grealish had to modify his natural game to be part of the City set-up.

Ferdinand has said that the £300,000-a-week (Spotrac) England international enjoyed playing more at Villa.

The former England international defender, though, has noted that Grealish is enjoying that winning feeling at City.

The 28-year-old, who can play as a winger or as an attacking midfielder, has won the Premier League title twice, the FA Cup once, and the UEFA Champions League on one occasion.

Ferdinand said on his YouTube channel: “Doku is different to Jack Grealish right now.  He needs more games to say he is better, man.

“If I am Jack Grealish, I was a happier footballer on the pitch in the 90 minutes at Villa, but I am here now and I am sacrificing happiness for that winning feeling which is a feeling you cannot describe at all so that outweighs the love of football.”

Jeremy Doku ahead of Jack Grealish in Manchester City pecking order

I believe that Manchester City winger Jeremy Doku is now ahead of Jack Grealish in the pecking order.

City manager Pep Guardiola consistently picking Doku ahead of Grealish shows that he thinks that the Belgium international gives the team more than the England international.

It took Grealish an entire season to get used to Guardiola’s system. The Englishman was a maverick at Villa where everything went through him, but at City, he is part of a team.

Doku is more explosive than Grealish and is quicker too. And he is only 21. The winger is going to get even better.

The Belgian has scored two goals and given five assists in seven Premier League starts and has scored one goal and provided one assist in one UEFA Champions League start this season.

Grealish has given one assist in three starts and four substitute appearances in the Premier League and has given one assist in three UEFA Champions League matches this campaign.