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Pep Guardiola told two Man City players are being 'held back' by his management

Home> Football> Football News> Man City

Published 13:13 16 Feb 2024 GMT

Pep Guardiola told two Man City players are being 'held back' by his management

"I think at Manchester City, it's been coached out of him..."

Daniel Marland

Daniel Marland

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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has been told two players are currently being 'held back' by his style of management.

Guardiola joined City in 2016 and has turned the club into a global powerhouse.

They've won five Premier League titles, four League Cups, two FA Cups and the Champions League in eight years.

Along the way, Guardiola has assembled a team of superstars that'd thrive in any era of football.

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Despite that, the Spaniard's been criticised for not letting his forwards express themselves.

Erling Haaland has dominated the goalscoring charts since arriving from Borussia Dortmund in 2022, but several pundits believe their other attackers could be doing more.

During a recent appearance on 'Football's Greatest' with Jeff Stelling, Matt Le Tissier said Guardiola should let Jack Grealish and Phil Foden 'off the leash' more in games.

Grealish joined City from Aston Villa in a £100 million deal two years ago and is much more regimented in how he plays.

Grealish joined City in 2022. (Image
Getty)

The England international was given freedom at Villa Park as captain and talisman under Dean Smith. That's all changed at City, which is reflected in Grealish's stats.

He's scored 14 goals and registered 17 assists in 115 games for the club, although this season has been ravaged by injury.

Foden was handed his City debut by Guardiola in 2017 and established himself as one of the world's top talents.

He scored a hat-trick in a 3-1 win over Brentford earlier this month, proving he's capable of becoming a leading man.

Foden has scored 15 goals this season. (Image
Getty)

Le Tissier explained: "The Aston Villa Jack Grealish, without the amount of goals was similar [to me] in terms of the effect he had on his team, how important he was to his team, how different he was to everyone else. He was one of the best dribblers in the league.

"At Man City, it's kind of been coached out of him a bit. He doesn't dribble as much as he used to. He plays the way Pep wants to play and that's fine, he's winning trophies, but it's not quite the same at the moment, in terms of his individualism.

"I love watching Phil Foden play as well. Those guys have a real natural ability. Sometimes, I do wish Pep would let them off the leash."

Featured Image Credit: Getty Images

Topics: Pep Guardiola, Manchester City, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Premier League

Daniel Marland
Daniel Marland

Daniel is SPORTbible's Senior Social Editor.

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@DanMarland_

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