Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola said Jack Grealish must prove he deserves to regain his place in the team's starting lineup by showing the quality he showed when the club won the treble in 2023.
The 29-year-old English international appeared in 14 of City's 20 Premier League matches this season, but he started only six times.
Grealish managed to score just six minutes into City's 4-1 win over West Ham United at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, replacing Erling Haaland in the 84th minute.
Brazilian Savinho, signed from Girona last summer for £30.8m, started opposite the former Aston Villa captain against the Hammers and provided two assists for Haaland's brace in the win.
Guardiola says he will work with Grealish to help him regain the form that made him a key player two seasons ago when City lifted the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League.
Asked if Savinho could be an “example” for the striker to regain his place, the City boss said: “Savinho is in better form than Jack, that’s why I played with Savinho (against West Ham).
“Do I want Jack to win the treble? Yes I do, but I'm trying to be honest with myself about it.
“They have to fight. You can say it's unfair. Well, if you think so, that's fine, but you have to prove (to me), OK, I will fight with Savinho, to deserve to play in the tournament,” he added. This position, “Every day, every week, and every month.”