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Grealish’s Path Back to the Starting Line-Up

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has indicated that Jack Grealish needs to demonstrate his value to the team if he wishes to reclaim a regular position in the starting line-up. Guardiola’s comments come as the England international has had a limited presence in the team’s matchday roster this Premier League season.

At 29 years old, Grealish has participated in 14 of City’s 20 league matches but has only been in the starting eleven on six occasions. His role during the recent 4-1 victory against West Ham United was minimal, as he entered the game in the 84th minute, replacing star striker Erling Haaland.

This season, Grealish has faced stiff competition for his spot, notably from Brazilian signing Savinho, who joined from Girona for £30.8 million last summer. Savinho started against West Ham and proved instrumental, providing both assists for Haaland’s two goals during the match.

Guardiola has expressed his commitment to working with Grealish to help him rediscover the form that established him as a pivotal player during City’s successful treble-winning campaign two seasons ago, where the club secured the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League titles.

When questioned about Savinho serving as a potential role model for Grealish, Guardiola acknowledged the Brazilian’s superior condition. “Savinho is in better shape and everything than Jack, and that’s why I played Savinho [against West Ham],” he stated. Furthermore, he added, “Do I want the Jack that won the Treble? Yeah, I want it, but I try to be honest with myself for that.”

Grealish remains encouraged to fight for his place in the team, as Guardiola emphasized: “They have to fight. You can say it’s unfair. OK, if you think that, then it’s fine, but you have to prove [to me], ‘OK, I’m going to fight with Savinho, to deserve to play in that position’, every single day, every single week and every single month.”

Source
www.bbc.com