GUARDIOLA: Jack has been the Greal deal since joining us
PEP Guardiola says Jack Grealish has already passed his first big City challenge, despite being rested for the first time at the weekend.
The Blues boss is set to recall his record signing for tonight’s Champions League clash with Club Brugge, with City needing a win in Belgium to get their qualification hopes back on track.
Grealish had started all of City’s Premier League and Champions League games this season, but was left on the bench on Saturday – along with other top names Ruben Dias and Kyle Walker – as they saw off Burnley 2-0.
That makes it almost certain Grealish will be back in the team in Belgium as City seek to bounce back from their 2-0 defeat by Paris St Germain last time out in the competition. But Guardiola has already given the England star a thumbs-up for the way he has adapted to life at City, not least the fact he has handled the necessity of playing every three or four days, something he rarely had to do at Aston Villa.
The Blues boss revealed the player had been warned that the more hectic schedule followed by City players would mean lifestyle tweaks, and he says he has been happy with the response so far.
“We spoke about that and how he has to live when he’s not here with resting, sleeping,” said Guardiola.
“What he’s done so far is excellent, he played every game apart from Burnley and I’m pretty sure he’ll improve.
“For a manager you have to see which is his best position, but he played really well. He’s focussed on what he has to do, he’s strong, his weight perfect, his mentality in the right position and, hopefully, we can help him. “It’s the first time he’s played every three days for 11 months, it’s a good challenge for him.” Plenty of critics were puzzled by the Blues’ decision to break the British transfer record to sign Grealish last summer, especially as a central striker was clearly the priority.
But Guardiola defended the need for another attacking player, and re-iterated what the Brummie brings, saying: “The quality in the final third, he attracts many opponents, finds his mates, scores goals and win games in the final third, that’s the quality he has.
What he’s done so far is excellent, he played every game apart from Burnley and I’m pretty sure he’ll improve
“We have players but wanted another as we have a lot of games, he’s the perfect age at 26.
“When you are on top of the competitions, for many years, the squad must be removed (renovated) a bit, otherwise it’s more difficult.
“Everyone has to feel the pressure, see what the team has done. All the big clubs add players and add quality, running, defensively, the quality that comes from themselves, this is what we want from Jack and all the players we sign.”
Meanwhile, John Stones has been left out of the squad for tonight’s game for personal reasons as Guardiola took 18 players to Belgium yesterday.
Youngster Cole Palmer is in the squad having played two games on Saturday – one as a late substitute for the first team in the Premier League, before scoring a hat-trick that evening for the under-23s at the Academy Stadium. Ilkay Gundogan and Aleks Zinchenko could make their return from injury as they are part of the travelling party, with Ferran Torres the only injury absentee.
Stones is not injured or ill.