Pep Guardiola is keen to allow Jack Grealish to “express” himself this season after his “really good” Manchester City debut against Leicester City on Saturday.
Just two days after becoming the most expensive British player following his move from Aston Villa for £100million, Grealish was named among the City substitutes at Wembley.
All eyes were on Grealish, and not just from the Manchester City fans on the day. A roar then erupted around the stadium as British record signing Jack Grealish was introduced to the action.
Introduced in the second half With the scores still locked at 0-0, Guardiola hoped Grealish could unlock the door as he so often did for Aston Villa.
Grealish picked out a handful of incisive passes after taking up his customary position on the left. But just three weeks after Euro 2020 concluded, the playmaker lacked his usual explosiveness with the ball at feet.
City continued to dominate with Grealish on the field, but Ake’s mis-control allowed Iheanacho to steal the ball away from him inside City’s box, and while the eventual shot was missed, the referee awarded a penalty, which was coolly slotted home by the former Man City striker.
On the former Aston Villa captain’s performance, Guardiola said: “He was really good – aggressive, going against full backs and every time he had the ball there were three players [around him].
“We will know him and step by step he will find the best.
“How can he build a relation when his mates are not here? But it’s not a problem, he knows Kyle and Raz and Phil and they are back tomorrow.
“We just need to provide him and let him express his quality. He didn’t come for 25 minutes, he came for five-six years.”
These Guardiola’s comment on Grealish has prompt Plenty of Sky Blues to react on social media.
he brings a new dynamic to our attack
— FT21🤩 (@McfcRobbo23) August 7, 2021
Useless if he doesn't have a competent striker ahead of him.
— CM (@callmws) August 7, 2021
Buy a striker baldy. You are philosophizing too much, but we need a top class striker. Mbappe, Kane, Haaland.
— konstantynopolitanczykowianeczka (@ManKonsta) August 7, 2021
He only had 25 mins today and rival fans are rattled to their core. Just wait till he gets on a pitch with Foden and De Bruyne. He’s so good. More than you believe
— 🅰️ (@abzMCFC) August 7, 2021
We need a ST bad.
— Adnan S. (@AdnanShake657) August 7, 2021
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