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Football

07th Oct 2020

Jack Grealish names Adama Traore as the fastest footballer he’s ever seen

Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish has named the fastest player he's ever seen play while speaking to JOE ahead of the FIFA 21 launch

Reuben Pinder

‘He is the fastest person I’ve ever seen play football’

Jack Grealish has named Adama Traoré as the fastest footballer he’s ever seen, and says the Wolves winger deserves a higher stat for pace on FIFA 21 than Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappé.

Both Traoré and Mbappé have been given a 96 rating for their blistering speed on the new FIFA 21 game, released on October 9th.

Speaking ahead of the launch of FIFA 21, Grealish told JOE, “I know Mbappé is fast, and one of the top five players in the world, but Adama is the fastest person I’ve ever seen play football in my life. He should be highest.”

Asked whether players dread coming up against Traoré, Grealish explained the best way to contain his former Aston Villa teammate.

“You have to be wary of his pace,” he explained.

“If he wants to face you up, the best thing to do is literally, stand like this [side on] so he can’t come down the line and let him go inside.”

Meanwhile, Grealish revealed he wasn’t too happy with his own stats on the game.

Describing his overall rating of 80 as “terrible”, Grealish said of his stats: “I just don’t think they’re that good. I think 80 is a bit harsh.”

Reacting to his surprisingly low physicality rating of 61, he said “I’m not that weak, am I?”

On FIFA 21, Grealish is listed as a left winger. The Villa captain explained to JOE that while he prefers to play in the middle, he has grown to enjoy playing as a wide man for his boyhood club.

“I’d rather be an inside… So on FIFA Ultimate Team people can change my position to a number 8, or a normal centre-mid,” he explained.

Asked what his favourite position was, he said it depends on the situation.

“I don’t mind left-wing now. At Villa I’ve done well there, I’ve scored goals and got assists from that position so I don’t really mind,” he said.

“But I love playing as a number 8 or a number 10 where I’m in the middle of the pitch and I can get more of the ball.”

Jack Grealish was speaking ahead of the launch of EA SPORTS FIFA 21 on October 9 on Playstation 4, Xbox One and all other platforms. Whether it’s on the streets or in the stadium, FIFA 21 has more ways to play than ever before. Get 3 days early access, special FUT kits and much more if you pre-order today! Head to https://www.ea.com/games/fifa/fifa-21/buy