Pep Guardiola speaks out on Jack Grealish’s condition, revealing what Manchester City ‘cannot provide’ him

According to the Birmingham Mail, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has pushed Jack Grealish to grab an opportunity to end the season strongly.

The former Aston Villa player has unable to replicate the influential form he displayed during last year’s triple victory. The 28-year-old’s season has been cut short twice by injury, and there was also an upsetting off-field event when his house was burgled while members of his family and fiancée were inside.

His most recent setback occurred when he injured his groin during City’s Champions League game against FC Copenhagen earlier this month, but he recovered quickly and was an unused substitute against Bournemouth on Saturday. He might be back in contention for Tuesday’s FA Cup fifth-round clash against Luton, and Guardiola hopes he takes advantage of the opportunity.

Guardiola said: “He started a bit late but (in) the last month Jack is back in terms of many things. “That’s why he played an important game in the Champions League in Copenhagen. Unfortunately there was a setback after 10-15 minutes but he’s recovered quick and he is back. “Hopefully (he can have) the impact he had last season. It depends on him.

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“I try to be fair with my decisions. If he played a lot of minutes last season and this season a little bit less in the beginning, he is the same player. It’s the same manager, the same way we want to play. Nothing has changed. “It is just how how we perform, that is the difference. We need him. I’ve said from day one we need him. He has a special quality for our team. Hopefully he can do a good last three months.”

With other players in good form, however, Guardiola admits Grealish will have to hit the ground running when the chance arises. Grealish must compete with the likes of Phil Foden, Jeremy Doku, Julian Alvarez and Bernardo Silva, all of whom have been in better form this season, for a place.

Guardiola said: “I cannot give three or four games in a row in order to get the rhythm. “They have to take a rhythm to play 20 minutes, 90 minutes, in the high level. You cannot wait. “I’m going to give you three or four (games) for you be fit and the other 10 players don’t play? “They don’t deserve the same? Of course they deserve it but that’s not how it works.

“You have to see in the training session, every moment all details. “He’s the same lovely person, lovely guy, same qualities, skills. He has even more years to improve. “So the players don’t have to convince me. They have to convince themselves that they deserve to play.”