Jack Grealish was brought on as an impact substitute during Manchester City’s 2-0 defeat against Liverpool at Anfield.
Grealish made a recent return from injury but considering he started against Feyenoord, it was a surprise to see him feature on the bench due to his vast experience of playing in big games.
Instead, Guardiola took the gamble of neither starting the Englishman nor Jeremy Doku or Savinho on the left-wing in favour of handing Matheus Nunes the chance to play out wide.
However, the experiment eventually backfired as the Portuguese international’s quiet display summed up the limp nature of the performance Manchester City delivered on Sunday.
Kyle Walker requested Manchester City fans to keep the faith in the team as they are well and truly in freefall at the moment.
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Grealish would have been frustrated witnessing City lose for the fourth successive time in the Premier League.
MANCHESTER - Jack Grealish of Manchester City FC during the UEFA Champions league match between Manchester City FC and Feyenoord at Etihad Stadium ...
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Guardiola says Grealish could play in midfield after Liverpool beat Man City
The 29-year-old will be hoping to return to the starting XI and play his best football in a City shirt.
After Manchester City’s latest setback against Liverpool, Pep Guardiola revealed that he could trial Grealish out in midfield for the control and vision he can bring to the table.
Guardiola said via Manchester World journalist Michael Plant: “Jack [Grealish] in the middle, I am thinking can help us to have that control, that vision to the final third.”
Since Grealish signed for Manchester City in 2021, he has mostly been deployed as an out-and-out left-winger.
Last month, rumours surrounding Grealish’s future at Manchester City were put to bed as it was claimed that Pep Guardiola still admires him.
However, Grealish and Guardiola had a conversation before the FA Cup final last season where they discussed that the 2024/2025 campaign was supposed to be one where he redeemed himself.
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But so far, the former Aston Villa winger has made a mere seven starts for Manchester City in all competitions — indicating how difficult a season he has undergone up until now.
Jack Grealish was signed by Man City to play as a number eight
The Athletic reported that initially, the plan at the Etihad Stadium was for Grealish to play as a number eight.
However, in the summer of 2021, Bernardo Silva, who was closely linked with an exit from Manchester City ended up staying and having an exceptional season in central midfield.
In September, Pep Guardiola also claimed that he would open to Grealish playing as a number 10 for Manchester City.
Guardiola said via BeanymanSports: “Yeah, can play. Yeah, yeah, we know it.”
With how technically gifted, composed, athletic and strong Grealish is, it comes as no surprise why Pep Guardiola feels he would be a top-quality option in the middle of the park for the Sky Blues.
The Englishman has played in midfield at international level on several instances and even at Aston Villa, he would often take up central positions on the pitch and run riot.
Whether Grealish is given a start in midfield against Nottingham Forest will be intriguing to discover.
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