27 February 2024 , 07:46
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Pep Guardiola has told Jack Grealish to convince him that he deserves a regular place back in Manchester City's team.
Grealish has struggled to find the form he showed when City lifted the treble last year with injuries and competition from Jeremy Doku hindering his hopes of a run in the side. The England international has started only 19 of City's 40 games in all competitions - and just seven out of 26 in the Premier League - but is set to be recalled for Tuesday's FA Cup fifth round tie at Luton with Guardiola demanding an improvement.
"Hopefully he can have the impact he had last season - it depends on him," said the City manager. "He played lots of minutes last season and this season less. But he is the same player, he has the same manager, and the way we play has not changed. Nothing has changed. It’s just the way he has performed. That’s the difference.
"I said from day one: we need him, he has a special quality for our team. It depends on him. Hopefully he can do a good last three months."
Grealish was an unused substitute at Bournemouth on Saturday after missing two games through an injury suffered early in the Champions League last 16 first leg tie in Copenhagen earlier this month.
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But Guardiola says he has to hit the ground running when he gets his chance because with the outcome of every game so vital with City chasing three trophies, he cannot give him three or four matches to find his rhythm.
"At this high level the team can't wait for a player to get their rhythm," he added. "A player has to find their rhythm whether they play 20 minutes or 90.
"If it has been ups and downs [for Jack] this season then why was it all the time 'up' last season? There has to be a reason.
"You have to see the training session, and every moment, all the small details. The players don’t have to convince me. They have to convince themselves that they deserve to play."
It's not been an easy season for Jack Grealish at Manchester City (Offside via Getty Images)Grealish scored the winner when City had to come from behind to beat Luton 2-1 in the Premier League in December and Guardiola is expecting an even tougher test from the battling Hatters tonight after watching their recent performances.
"It will be even more difficult," he said. "We saw all the games they played against the top sides and others. The reasons why are clear. They are so aggressive. They have direct channels but at the same time they play really good with the ball. The ability with the build-up with [Ross] Barkley and the patterns are so clear.
"It doesn't matter where you are in the league, if you have the courage to play, face the challenge without any fear, then it will be difficult for the opponents."
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