Pep Guardiola has opened up about Jack Grealish’s recent lack of minutes in the Manchester City team.
Prior to this afternoon’s Premier League match against Everton, Grealish has not started a league game since City’s 2-0 win over Sheffield United back in December.
Now though, the City manager has shared some details on the winger and his lack of action over the past few weeks.
Guardiola says Grealish needs to step up
Speaking in his recent press conference ahead of today’s match against Everton, Guardiola had this to say about Grealish and his current situation.
He said: “Jack is doing steps to get to his best level. Now he’s competing with the players who are playing at a high, high level and that is the only reason why. He has to get back to what he was especially last season and all the period at Villa.
“I am looking forward to giving him minutes. This season was not like last season but he’s getting better. That’s what we’re looking for. Always I’m pleased with all my players and Jack as well.
“It’s not a big, big problem. Completely the opposite. Now he’s making steps to get to his best and that’s all. We need him and need everyone. We need Jack. I am looking forward to having him back to his best and giving him minutes.”
After starting 41 games across all competitions last season, the 28-year-old has only been in the starting XI on seven occasions in the Premier League.
Bearing in mind how the Englishman has only scored three goals and delivered one assist across his 13 league appearances this season, whereas the likes of Jeremy Doku (two goals, five assists) and Bernardo Silva (six goals, four assists) have provided more goal contributions than him shows why Guardiola thinks he may need to do more to keep a place in the team.
However, it sounds like the 53-year-old has faith in the winger that he can step his game up and do what is required of him, which is a big positive, in our opinion.
