Pep Guardiola has told Jack Grealish what he needs to do to get back in the Manchester City starting line-up.
The 28-year-old England international signed for City from Aston Villa back in 2021, after Guardiola secured the £100million signing ahead of the 2021/22 season.
Grealish has since gone on to secure two Premier League titles, one Champions League and one FA Cup since arriving at the Etihad Stadium from his boyhood club - although has not always played a starring role in the team.
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He has started 87 games for the club across his 110 appearances in blue, netting just 14 goals and adding a further 17 assists in the process.
It's a run of form that has since raised some questions regarding the price-tag City parted with to bring him to the club.
Aside from this, City also made the decision to bring Jeremy Doku in from Ligue 1 side Rennes during the summer, providing even more competition for Grealish out on the left-wing.
Due to both the increase competition from Doku, injuries hampering his momentum and a lack of form in a City shirt, Grealish has started just 16 games throughout the current 2023/24 - with Guardiola now revealing what he needs to see from the player if he wants to break back into the starting line-up.
“This season was not like last season, but he's getting better. This season lately he is getting better and we're looking forward.
"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 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.”
Gareth Southgate is just months away from naming his 23-man England squad for EURO 2024 in Germany - if Grealish wants to feature, a return to the City 11 will need to happen sooner, rather than later.
Patrick Rowe