Manchester, February 27, 2024, The Europe Today: Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, has emphasized the imperative for midfielder Jack Grealish to swiftly regain his rhythm post-injury if he intends to reclaim a spot in the Premier League club’s starting lineup. Grealish, a pivotal figure in City’s triumphant campaign last season, has faced a dip in performance this term, managing three goals in 26 appearances across all competitions.
The English international sustained a groin injury during a Champions League victory over FC Copenhagen, sidelining him since the incident. Despite being an unused substitute in City’s recent 1-0 win against Bournemouth, Guardiola remains confident in Grealish’s capabilities.
“He is the same player, he has the same manager, and the way we play has not changed,” Guardiola asserted in a press conference ahead of City’s FA Cup fifth-round clash with Luton Town. “It’s just the way he has performed. That’s the difference. I said from day one, we need him. He has a special quality for our team. But it depends on him. Hopefully, he can do a good last three months.”
Guardiola stressed the urgency for players returning from injury to swiftly find their rhythm, highlighting the competitive nature of the team. “At a high level, the team doesn’t wait to be fit. You cannot give someone three or four games to be fit. What about the 10 who don’t play? They deserve not to play? You have to see the training sessions and all the small details.”
The manager added that players must convince themselves of their readiness to play rather than persuading him, emphasizing the rigorous evaluation of training sessions and attention to detail.
City faces Luton in the FA Cup, followed by a crucial league clash against rivals Manchester United on Sunday. Grealish’s return to peak form will be keenly observed as City aims to maintain its competitive edge in both domestic and international competitions.
