‘WE NEED GREALISH BACK TO HIS BEST’

PEP GUARDIOLA has told Jack Grealish to get back to the form that saw Manchester City pay £100million to make him Britain’s most expensive player.

Grealish has been on the bench for City’s last four games and has played just 14 minutes in that time – as a late substitute in a 3-1 win over Burnley 10 days ago.

The impressive form of Phil Foden and Julian Alvarez has forced Grealish out of the picture, with Guardiola urging the England winger to be himself if he wants to win back his first-team place.

Young Norwegian winger Oscar Bobb has also started ahead of Grealish in recent weeks, with the 28-year-old facing a challenge to play regularly ahead of England’s Euro 2024 campaign this summer.

Asked what Grealish (above, with Guardiola) must do to get back in the City side, the Spaniard said: “He has to demand from himself to get back where he was. Especially last season and all of the time at Aston Villa.

“Now he’s making steps to get to his best. We need him, we need everyone. He’s taking steps to get back to his best level because he is competing with players at a high level.

“This season he has not been like he was last season but he’s getting better and we’re looking forward to giving him minutes.”

Guardiola admitted Grealish was badly affected by a break-in at his house on December 27 while his family were inside the property and he was starring in a 3-1 win at Everton.

Asked how much of an effect the raid had on Grealish, Guardiola said: “I’m pretty sure it did for a few days.

“It’s not easy what happened with him, his girlfriend and his family. I think he handled it really well. Lately he hasn’t spoken about it so hopefully he’s fine.”

City, hot favourites for the title, will go top of the table if they beat Everton at lunchtime today.