Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola admitted that Jack Grealish must raise his level if he wants to regain his place in the team's starting lineup.
Grealish, a £100m signing in 2021, He failed to score a single goal for the club in 2024 He recently lost his place in City's squad to summer signing Savinho, who stole the show as a player Guardiola's team beat West Ham United 4-1 at the weekend.
When asked why Savinho played against Grealish, Guardiola did not offer any strong criticism of the Englishman.
“It's easy,” Guardiola said. “As far as he looks at himself, he will see the competition and that he has to compete himself. Savinho is in better shape in every way than Jack and that's why I played with Savinho.
“I want Jack who won the treble? Yes, I do. But I'm trying to be honest with myself about it.”
“You can say it's unfair. If you think so, that's fine. But you have to prove it and say: OK, I will fight with Savinho, to deserve to play in this position every day, every week.” And every month.
“I fought a lot for (Grealish), I fought a lot for him to be here, to do it again, and I know he can do it, because I saw him. I saw his level and I want that in every training session and in every match, and if not… That's right, there's Savinho.
“Is there anyone in this room who thinks Savinho doesn't deserve to play now? No, he deserves to play. That's why I play with him – because he produces. That's why he played. I have no doubt about that.” The quality of Jack or any of these players, otherwise they wouldn't be here.
“But they have to, right now, today, at 3pm, be at their best. It's not about what they've done or are going to do, it's about 3pm. The hour and 30 minutes, or the hour and 45 minutes that we spend when I go to play, the responsibility is on “It's up to the players, not me, and they have to perform well in every match.”