Jack Grealish has continued his spat with Graeme Souness by claiming footballers who respond to pundits' views are unfairly accused of being unable to stand the criticism.
The England and Manchester City star was described as a 'good, not great' player by the former Scotland international turned Sky Sports and talkSPORT pundit - and Daily Mail columnist - last month.
And now Grealish has continued their ongoing argument in an interview with French newspaper L'Equipe.
'I often feel like I just do exactly the same things as the other players, but people talk about them because it is me doing them,' he said.
'That's exactly what I said in relation to Souness - he always has something to say about me. And he responded by saying I can't take criticism.
'Today, we, the footballers, if we allow ourselves to respond to something said about us, we are portrayed as if we are people who cannot stand criticism.
'Sometimes I want to say to them [pundits in England], "Leave me alone a bit and focus on someone else" so that I can focus on my game. Because there is always this noise around me.'
Speaking on talkSPORT in September, Souness suggested Grealish, who had at that point scored just five times and contributed three assists since his £100million move from Aston Villa, hadn't improved at City.
'He is a good footballer. He is not a great player,' Souness said. 'He is a good player who got a big move and is yet to do it at Man City.
'I understand why people think he is better than he actually is - because he runs with the ball and gets you on the edge of your seat.
'But he doesn't deliver enough. He doesn't see the right picture and he doesn't deliver it quickly enough.
'If he was a star every week, we would not be having this type of conversation about him.'
Grealish, 27, then hit back at Souness by saying: 'I don't know what his problem is with me. I try not to read it, obviously it's difficult when he's on talkSPORT or Sky Sports and it's everywhere around the training ground at times.
'He was obviously a great player. I don't know what it is with what he says about me or what problem he's got.
'I know my own ability. I know before he used to say a lot of stuff about me not moving the ball quicker.'
Liverpool legend Souness then replied in his Sportsmail column late last month, writing: 'I seem to have caused Jack Grealish offence by saying that I think he is a good player but not a great one.
'I've been over 50 years in this game and I think I'm entitled to express an opinion on these matters but the modern player doesn't take criticism well.
'The criticism all goes one way now - with the coach and the manager getting it for his tactics, his team selection, for his substitutions and anything else you want to mention, while players get away scot-free most of the time. Fingers are rarely points at them.'
Souness also spoke on talkSPORT, adding: 'I don't have a problem with Grealish, I don't have a problem with anyone. I think he's a good player, technically he's fantastic, but being a really good technician is only a part of the game.'
He added: 'I'm sure if I met Jack I would really like him. He's a cheeky Chappy and I'd like to have a night out with him as well, but I just feel the modern player doesn't take criticism very well.
'I'm paid to offer an opinion and I've been in the game 50 years, so I think I'm entitled to have an opinion. Don't be so precious.'
Grealish has scored one goal and provide zero assists in 12 outings for City so far this season.