Pep Guardiola has apologised to Jack Grealish for his lack of game time this season and insists the decision is not down to him holding a personal grudge.
Grealish, who has not started for City since their FA Cup third round win over Salford City on January 11, managed just six minutes in their 4-1 victory over West Ham on Sunday.
In fact, the former Aston Villa midfielder has started just six times in the Premier League this season, with Jeremy Doku and Savinho being preferred in wide areas.
After an impressive debut campaign that featured 41 starts out of a possible 50, the England international has endured a steady decline under Pep Guardiola of late.
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Earlier this week, Guardiola challenged Grealish to recapture the form that helped City win an unprecedented treble in 2023.
"Savinho is in better shape and everything than Jack, and that's why I played Savinho [against West Ham]," he said. "Do I want the Jack that won the Treble? Yeah I want it, but I try to be honest with myself for that."
Guardiola added: "They have to fight. You can say it's unfair. OK, if you think that, then it's fine, but you have to prove [to me], 'OK, I'm going to fight with Savinho, to deserve to play in that position', every single day, every single week and every single month."
Grealish's form has certainly become a big talking point of late.
And ahead of City's FA Cup fourth round clash against Leyton Orient on Saturday, Guardiola was once again asked about the 29-year-old's lack of opportunities.
“I’m so sorry [Jack] hasn’t had the minutes that maybe he deserves but at the end the contribution from Jeremy or Savinho have been massive,” said Guardiola, who was asked where Grealish is in his current thinking.
“That’s the only reason why. It’s not that I don’t like Jack or that I don’t have confidence in him. When you play more minutes you have confidence, but I know his attributes."
Guardiola added: “[In the] last game, Savinho made an incredible step up defensively. This is the reason why. You have to sometimes select one player over the other one.
“You have to decide. Not because you don’t like the other ones. This is my life and the manager’s life, and I have to accept it. I’m not disagreeing with [anyone’s opinions]. I understand all the comments.
“People prefer players over one player. That’s why football is so nice. My job is my job, and I have to do what I believe.”
Thoughts on Grealish's form? Does he deserve more minutes? Let us know in the comments.
Topics: Jack Grealish, Manchester City, Pep Guardiola
Jack Kenmare