Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has admitted that Jack Grealish needs to up his game if he is to reclaim his place in the club’s starting line-up.
Grealish, £100m signing in 2021; failed to score a single team goal in 2024 and recently lost his place in the City squad to summer arrival Savinho, who stole the show as Guardiola’s side beat West Ham 4-1 at the weekend.
Asked why Savinho was playing ahead of Grealish, Guardiola pulled no punches with a strong warning to the Englishman.
“It’s easy,” Guardiola said. “However he looks at himself, he will see the competition and that he has to fight, himself. Savinho is in better shape and everything than Jack and that’s why I played Savinho.
“Do I want Jack who won the Treble? Yes, I do. But I’m trying to be honest with myself about it.
“You can say it’s unfair. If you believe that, then that’s fine. But you have to prove it and say, ‘OK, I’m going to fight with Savinho, to deserve to play in this position every day, every week. and every month”.
“I fought a lot for Grealis, I fought a lot for him to be here, to do it again and again, and I know he can do it, because I saw him. I have seen his level and I want every training session and every game, if not, there is Savinho.
“Is there anyone in this room who thinks Savinho doesn’t deserve to play at the moment? No, he deserves to play. That’s why I play him – because he produces. That’s why he played. I have no doubts about his quality Jack or any of these players or they wouldn’t be here.
“But you have to, right now, today at 3pm, be at your best. It’s not about what they’ve done or are going to do, it’s about 3pm. One hour and 30 minutes or one hour and 45 minutes we are Going to play, the responsibility is on the players, not on me, and they have to deliver, every game.”
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2025-01-06 12:30:00
