Pep Guardiola has addressed the recent limited involvement of Manchester City’s 28-year-old player, Jack Grealish, emphasizing the need for his development within the team.
In recent weeks, Grealish has experienced a decline in minutes on the field, with his last league start dating back to City’s 2-0 win against Sheffield United in December.
Guardiola shed light on Grealish’s situation during a recent press conference ahead of the Everton match, stating that the winger is currently engaged in a process aimed at unlocking his full potential.
Guardiola stressed that Grealish is now competing with teammates performing at an exceptionally high level, thus highlighting the need for him to rediscover his form, particularly from his successful stint at Aston Villa.
Acknowledging the differences between this season and the previous one, Guardiola expressed optimism about Grealish’s improvement, affirming that such progress is precisely what the team desires.
Despite his reduced playing time, Guardiola emphasized his satisfaction with all players, including Grealish, and reiterated the importance of the winger’s contribution to the team’s success.
Last season, Grealish started 41 games across all competitions, showcasing his significance to the team. However, this season, he has only secured seven Premier League starts, accompanied by modest goal and assist statistics compared to some of his counterparts.
Guardiola highlighted the need for Grealish to elevate his performance to secure his spot in the team, especially considering the contributions of other players like Jeremy Doku and Bernardo Silva.
Despite the challenges Grealish faces, Guardiola expressed confidence in the winger’s abilities, indicating his belief that Grealish possesses the potential to meet the team’s expectations. Guardiola’s faith in Grealish’s capacity to rise to the occasion reflects positively on the player’s future prospects within the team.