Topics: Jack Grealish, Manchester City, Pep Guardiola
Jack Grealish has revealed the simple tweak to his game he made following a conversation with Pep Guardiola.
Grealish signed for City from Aston Villa in a £100 million switch and has won two Premier League titles, as well as the Champions League, FA Cup, UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup.
It's clear that he is a completely different player to the one we saw at Villa, where he was allowed the freedom to roam.
Advert
At City Grealish is instructed to stay high and wide and not to give the ball away.
The emphasis on ball retention means he takes less risks on the wing but in a new interview, Grealish has shared the advice Guardiola gave him which has helped him on the pitch.
The England international likes to come inside off the left flank but has been instructed to use his left foot for his first touch as that takes him forward.
"It's something I only actually learned in the last couple of years. Pep actually told me about this," he said in a coaching session with Ellevate.
"If I'm getting the ball off you and I'm receiving the ball with my right foot - the right footed touch is a good touch because I'm right footed but it automatically takes me back.
"The defender can just jump onto me and I'm going back. Even though I'm not left footed, if I can go on my left it automatically takes me forward.
"It's so simple and something you don't really notice and when someone like Pep Guardiola tells you about it you take it onboard."
Grealish has scored three times in 22 this season but the arrival of Jeremy Doku, who loves dribbling past defenders, means he is not a guaranteed starter unlike he was large spells last season.
And speaking after Doku registered four assists against Bournemouth, Guardiola sent a message to his No.10.
"I want Jack angry and I want him to play good. And then Doku - be angry that he hasn't played the past two games,"Guardiola told BBC Sport.
"This is the way to maintain the consistency at that level. We need everyone. The way Jack played at Old Trafford to give us more composure was decisive for us."
