Micah Richards has explained why he finds it "difficult" to talk about Jack Grealish unlike other members of the Manchester City squad.
Grealish got off the mark for the season against Spurs in the thrilling 3-3 draw with Spurs at the Etihad Stadium.
The England winger came off the bench and put City 3-2 up with nine minutes remaining, finishing emphatically after a cut-back from Erling Haaland.
It looked to be the winner, but Spurs levelled in the dying embers when Dejan Kulusevski rose above Nathan Ake to head home at the far post.
After contributing massively to the treble-winning season last season, Grealish has struggled for form and fitness this term - leading to the exciting Jeremy Doku getting the nod on the left flank.
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Richards played with Grealish at Villa and is never quite able to remain unbiased when talking about him.
"It's always a bit difficult for me because I'm one of his best friends so I only speak from the heart a little bit," he said on the Rest is Football podcast, speaking to Gary Lineker.
"Put that to the side for a minute, apart from goals and assists, what does he need to do in his game, to go to that next level where people stop questioning his £100 million price tag?"
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After praising his ability, Lineker explained that only a slight burst of pace is what is missing for Grealish's game, which Richards agreed with.
The 28-year-old was recently criticised by Graeme Souness, who claims Grealish is at a "crossroads in his City career".
On Sunday Grealish replaced Doku after he suffered an injury but City could be without both players for their next fixture.
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Grealish will be denied a return to boyhood club Aston Villa on Sunday after picking up a fifth booking of the season for kicking the ball away.
City will also be without Rodri as he also serves a one-game suspension for five yellow cards.
Topics: Micah Richards, Manchester City, Jack Grealish
Josh Lawless