Pep Guardiola Gives Grealish a Wake-up Call
The English player has only played 16 minutes in the last 7 matches, and the coach, besides explaining why, made it clear what he needs to play more.
Pep Guardiola, the Manchester City coach, gave a warning to Jack Grealish, who has played 16 minutes in the last seven Premier League matches, stating that to become more of a regular player, he needs to improve his performances.
The English forward, who cost £100 million in the summer of 2021 for City, has barely played fourteen league matches, half of which he has been substituted in. In 26 matches across all competitions, he has scored three goals and provided two assists.
"He's the same player, he has the same coach, and the way he plays hasn't changed. It's just the level of his performances. That's the difference," Guardiola said before facing Luton Town in the FA Cup on Tuesday.
"I've said it since day one, we need him. He brings a special quality to our team, but it depends on him. Hopefully, he can have three good final months."
Grealish hasn't started a Premier League match since December.
"I can't give players three or four matches to get their rhythm. They need to have rhythm to play for 20 or 90 minutes. At the highest level, the team doesn't wait for you. You can't give someone three or four matches to get fit. What happens then with the other ten who aren't playing? Don't they deserve it? You have to watch all the training sessions and the little details. Players don't have to convince me, they have to convince themselves that they deserve to play," he pointed out.
