‘Even Pep knows’, ‘could be the start of something great’ – Man City Fans react to Guardiola’s Jack Grealish comments

Pep Guardiola was delighted with Jack Grealish’s desire to drive at Chelsea’s defence in his “magnificent” performance in Manchester City’s Carabao Cup win.

Grealish was denied on three occasions by Edouard Mendy during the 2-0 win, but his quick feet and driving runs were a constant threat to the visitors.

The attacking midfielder is expected to be named in the England squad for the World Cup on Thursday and this was one of his best performances of the season, playing in a slightly narrower position off the left.

Grealish thrived in the City side without Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden, taking on more responsibility, but Guardiola knows he can achieve that whoever he plays alongside, but was most pleased with his change of approach on Wednesday.

“I want Jack to have the responsibility, to play with Kevin with Phil. Today the best step Jack has done, is when he gets the ball wider or more inside to attack the back line, the back four for Chelsea, always his intention was to pass the ball,” he said.

“No, no, we spoke many times with him, the first intention is go to score a goal. He’s not a real threat for the back four because he’s going to pass the ball, but today his body language is ‘I’m going to score a goal’. Then after, shoot or pass.

“Today was three or four times he did it and this is what we wanted. Today he didn’t score but with the chances he will do it. He was exceptional again, Jack is playing really, really good.”

These Guardiola’s comments were shared on Twitter by City Xtra and it attracted plenty of attention from the club’s supporters.

‘All this Pep holding him back was all a BS narrative from haters.”
Credit: @ErlingRoIe

“Even Pep knows…. He’s recent brutal honesty is so refreshing because he sees what I’ve always seen. Saw a massive difference in the 2nd half from Gucci Grealish because Pep clearly spoke to him… He’s an interior winger when Gomes plays, Beat players & shoot… Stop looking for an assist.”
Credit: @WHOIS2NGO

‘This could be the start of something great”
Credit: @gregmcfc

“Very true, But he needs to score!.”
Credit: @stayhugh6

“Guardiola says this but it’s obvious his instructions are different when Cancelo, De Bruyne and Foden are in the team. He stays wider creating space for such players to exploit, if he was allowed to play freely he would do!, the lad doesn’t lack belief in his talent!.”
Credit: @OllyPrice15

‘Maybe if you got a left footed left back he’d have more space to run inside Pep….”
Credit: @damrider11

“Backing Grealish from the start and now everyone is realising how good he is.”
Credit: @JackMCI_

‘When Grealish plays like he did today he’s absolutely brilliant. 9/10 performance today only reason it’s not 10 is he didn’t score lol. That’s all we want to see from him thois him playing freely and running at defences causing panic like he did today. Class performance”
Credit: @EliteRko