Pep Guardiola has thrown down the gauntlet. Jack Grealish, the £100 million man, needs to rediscover the magic that fueled Manchester City’s historic Treble win. No more relying on past glories; it’s time to prove his worth once again. Guardiola’s message is crystal clear: perform or be benched.
Grealish’s contribution this season has been far from what was expected of him. Playing in 14 of City’s 20 Premier League games is good on the surface, but starting only six of those games paints a different picture. His latest appearance was a six-minute appearance in a match against West Ham, coming in as a substitute for Erling Haaland at the last possible moment. This is a far cry from the importance he had in City’s Treble-winning season.
To make matters worse, Brazilian winger Savinho, who joined Villa from Girona in the summer transfer window, was preferred to Grealish in the Villa’s starting line-up against West Ham. Not only did Savinho start, but he also created both goals for Haaland. This performance has without doubt brought pressure on Grealish and increased the competition for a starting role. Savinho case proved that Guardiola is ready to bench players due to their current performance regardless of past successes and the amount of money spent on them.
Guardiola has been very direct in his comments on Grealish’s issues. He said he wanted to see the same Jack Grealish who played a key role in getting the Treble. This is not a suggestion; it is an invitation to go ahead and do what is being suggested. Guardiola needs Grealish to get back to that level, that form, that motivation that made him so useful two seasons ago. He is not promising anything in terms of returns, let alone promising them based on previous results.
However, Guardiola’s message is not only to Grealish. He also stresses that every player has to struggle for his place on the starting five. He even said that some of them may consider his decisions as unjustified but he emphasizes that players have to show their worth in training and on the pitch every day, every week, and every month. The message is clear: Savinho set a new standard, and Grealish must come close to matching it if he is to regain his starting position.
Guardiola still believes in Grealish’s talent. He fought to bring him to Manchester City, and he knows what he’s capable of. But belief isn’t enough; Grealish needs to deliver. He needs to show the manager, the fans, and himself that he deserves to be a key player for this team. With the competition heating up, especially with Savinho’s impressive displays, Grealish is facing a make-or-break moment. It’s time to step up and prove his worth, or risk fading into the background.
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