Pep Guardiola has urged Manchester City midfielder Jack Grealish to return to the incredible form he showed last season.
Grealish has played just 14 minutes in City’s last four matches in all competitions and has not completed a game since his family home was burglarized the same night he played against Everton. Guardiola admitted the experience may have scarred the England international, although he hopes he has now gotten over the shock.
“I’m pretty sure for a few days (Grealish was affected). I hope he forgot it, but I’m pretty sure he did. I would have been affected too”, Guardiola said at a press conference. “ What happened between him, his girlfriend and his family is not easy to live with. I think he handled the situation very well. He is an incredible person with his humanity and here, with the club security officials and the people at his disposal, they tried to help him. That’s what happened. Lately he hasn’t spoken about this topic, so I hope he’s okay.”
Guardiola wants to see the real Grealish again
“ I am always satisfied with my players. It’s not a big problem, on the contrary. Now he’s taking steps to be on top and that’s it. We need him, we need everyone and we need Jack,” added Guardiola. “ He must assert himself to return to the level he was at last season and throughout the previous season at Villa. This season hasn’t been like the last, but he’s improving. I can’t wait to see him return to his best level and give him minutes.”
Grealish’s decline in form predates the burglary, however, as he has only started five of City’s last 19 matches. He faced competition from lively winger Jeremy Doku and was a victim of Guardiola’s reorganization of the midfield to accommodate Phil Foden, who started in the same attack as Kevin De Bruyne and Julian Alvarez against Brentford .
City host Everton on Saturday at the start of the day and have the opportunity to temporarily take the lead in the Premier League ahead of Liverpool. Guardiola’s side are also aiming to win their tenth consecutive match in all competitions.
