Jack Grealish must be more selfish on emotional return to boyhood club Aston Villa, says Pep Guardiola, as the Manchester City boss claims his £100m signing needs to be a ‘more aggressive guy’
- Jack Grealish ‘needs to be selfish’ when he faces his boyhood club Aston Villa
- Grealish is expected to be among City’s substitutes after recovering from injury
- The 26-year-old has two goals and admitted to finding adapting to City difficult
- Pep Guardiola disagreed but said he wanted Grealish to take more responsibility
Pep Guardiola has urged Jack Grealish to be more selfish in front of goal as he gears up for Wednesday’s emotional return to Aston Villa.
Manchester City’s £100million record signing admitted on Tuesday that he has found adapting to his new club difficult, but Guardiola disagreed.
The manager did suggest, though that he wants Grealish to take more responsibility.
‘My opinion is that he’s played much better than maybe he believes,’ said Guardiola.
Pep Guardiola wants Jack Grealish (above) to be selfish as he faces his former side Aston Villa
Grealish, who joined the Midlands outfit at age six, is gearing up for an emotional return
‘Maybe at Villa, everything started with him and he was free. Now he’s in a new position and he has not been so determined or so clinical in the final third.
‘Sometimes maybe he has to be a more aggressive guy. When you get the ball close to the box, my friend, you decide whatever you want. That’s why you are Jack Grealish and not another player. They have to play and make their moments.’
Grealish is expected to be among City’s substitutes on Wednesday after recovering from injury.
The 26-year-old has two goals and three assists this term and Guardiola conceded that new signings find their first season tough.
The winger became the record signing between British clubs after his £100m summer move
‘All the players who come here, for the first season they always struggle,’ he said. ‘But has he played bad? Absolutely not. I didn’t see one game yet where he did not play with the quality he has.’
Guardiola denied that any potential jeering of Grealish by Villa supporters would impact his selection on Wednesday. ‘The booing shows how much the fans love him,’ he said.
Villa manager Steven Gerrard added: ‘I don’t see anything other than a positive reaction to Jack, but once the game starts he’s the enemy and we want to compete against him. I think the supporters are very grateful for what Jack gave to this club.’
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