Guardiola Assures Grealish Will Bounce Back After Struggles

After playing a key role in City’s historic Treble success last season, including being a starter in both the FA Cup and Champions League finals, Jack Grealish has found himself on the sidelines during this term’s run-in.

Grealish, 28, started both legs of the Champions League quarter-final defeat by Real Madrid but logged only 10 minutes in City’s five games in May. He was an unused substitute in crucial Premier League matches against Tottenham and West Ham and remained on the bench throughout the FA Cup final loss to Manchester United. Guardiola opted instead for Jeremy Doku, who scored in the 2-1 defeat.

While Grealish was named in Gareth Southgate’s initial 33-man squad for Euro 2024, his place is not guaranteed given England’s abundance of attacking options.

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However, Guardiola is confident there are no significant issues with his £100 million record signing. "He will be back," said the City manager. "He’s struggled this season, and Jeremy has made an incredible step forward, as everyone has seen in the last games. But Jack will be back at the level of last season, I'm pretty sure."

Summer changes at City?

Guardiola has already confirmed his commitment to the final year of his City contract.

Despite their historic season, becoming the first team in English football history to win four league titles in a row, Guardiola faces several issues this summer.

At 32, Kevin de Bruyne has one year left on his current deal and, not for the first time this season, looked a shadow of his usual self against United, being replaced after less than an hour.

Midfielder Kalvin Phillips is likely to leave the club this summer following his disastrous loan move to West Ham.

There are also question marks over first-choice goalkeeper Ederson, who has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia, and understudy Stefan Ortega, who was at fault for the opening goal against United and has a contract expiring in 2025.

City paid Wolves £53 million for midfielder Matheus Nunes in September, but he started just seven Premier League games, only one since February, and like Grealish, remained on the bench as the campaign reached its climax.

“I know some players have to decide whether they stay with us, and some players might come,” said Guardiola. “My sporting director says everything is fine for next year, but right now, I don’t know what might happen.”

One significant addition to the squad next season is likely to be 20-year-old wide-man Savio. The Brazilian has been outstanding in Girona’s remarkable La Liga campaign, which has qualified them for the expanded Champions League. He was already on loan from another City Football Group club, Troyes, and his move to Manchester is expected to be confirmed in the next few weeks.

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