Pep Guardiola tells Jack Grealish to ‘demand’ more from himself as Man City star axed from team

Pep Guardiola has called for Jack Grealish to ‘demand’ more from himself and to get back to the standards he set for Manchester City last season.

The former Aston Villa star has been dropped from the team in recent weeks and has played just 13 minutes across the last four games. Grealish has made 24 appearances this season, providing just three goals and two assists, a surprisingly low number for a player who became England’s first £100m transfer in 2021.

The 28-year-old started six consecutive games in December before dropping out of the side for the trip to Newcastle United last month, with Guardiola revealing prior to the game that City’s no.10 was feeling unwell. But Grealish has since failed to win back his place, and Guardiola said on Friday that he needs to improve.

“He's doing the steps to get to his best level and now is competing with players at a high level. This is the only reason why [he has been dropped]. He has to demand himself to get back where he was, especially last season and all the time in Villa. I'm looking forward to give him minutes.

“This season was not like last season, but he's getting better. This season lately he is getting better and we're looking forward,” Guardiola added.

The City boss’ harsh words contrast with his robust defence of Grealish in the past, especially concerning his stats, with Guardiola previously claiming the England international ‘wasn’t signed for goals and assists’, while he said in November that he ‘loves working’ with the winger.

Grealish was a mainstay in the side at the back end of last season, as the Blues won an historic treble. He started every game in City’s Champions League knockout stages and didn't miss a single minute of the quarters, semis and final. Grealish also started 15 consecutive Premier League games between January and April as City won the title, and played every FA Cup game from the fourth round onwards.

But Guardiola now wants to see the player return to those levels and, asked where Grealish needs to improve, the 53-year-old replied: “Himself, himself. I'm always pleased with my players – Jack as well. It's not a big, big problem, completely the opposite.

“Now he is making steps to get his best and that's all. We need him, we need everyone and we need Jack. I am looking forward to him being back to his best and giving him minutes.”