Manchester City have had a very successful period under Pep Guardiola’s reign at the club.
In fact, with eight full seasons under his belt at the Etihad Stadium, the Catalan has guided City to six Premier League titles as well as numerous other domestic and European trophies.
However, Guardiola and his team have been in a sticky run of form recently and are now without a win in their past seven matches across all competitions.
This has now led to one pundit and former City player questioning the 53-year-old’s methods, particularly on how he’s been using a specific figure in the squad since his arrival at the club.
Jack Grealish of Manchester City looks on during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD5 training and press conference at Manchester Cit...
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Shay Given questions Pep Guardiola’s use of Jack Grealish
While assessing the problems City are facing at the moment, Shay Given said this in a recent edition of Monday Night Club on the matter, starting with if he thinks the Blues can still win the Premier League title.
He said: “No, I think it’s too much. I think it really is. Yeah, I mean, there’s so many different issues.
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“I mean, I think [Jack] Grealish, for example, I know I’m slightly biased because I played with Jack at Aston Villa. So I know Jack’s won all these trophies in the Champions League and Premier Leagues and stuff, but I think he’s playing out of position, has done since the day he joined Man City.
“I think he’s a waste on the left wing. I think he’s like a mannequin at times and I feel sorry for him out there.
“I know he didn’t start at the weekend, but I was in Dublin about two months ago, whatever it was, and playing for England. He was playing central and he was monumental.
“I think he’s a generational talent going to waste at Man City. And that sounds a bit harsh perhaps on maybe Pep or whatever. But I just think he’s such a talented player playing out of position.
“And even I suppose recruitment. Txiki’s leaving in the summer and is he leaving an ageing squad? You’d have to say he probably is going back what 18 months.
“I think it was maybe Bernardo Silva was linked with Barcelona. They said no. He sold Cole Palmer. Look what he’s doing at Chelsea.
“The average age would naturally come down by keeping him and maybe selling the likes of Silva.”
Guardiola hinted at changing Grealish’s position
City paid a club-record fee of £100m to sign Grealish from Aston Villa back in the 2021 summer transfer window.
Since then, the Englishman has featured in 138 games across all competitions, the majority of which have seen the 29-year-old play in a left-wing role.
As Given mentioned, the City star scored a goal and made two key passes when featuring in an attacking-midfield role during England’s 2-0 win over Ireland back in September.
After seeing his side lose 2-0 to Liverpool on Sunday, Guardiola hinted at a new role for Grealish in the team, saying this on the matter.
He said: “Jack in the middle, I am thinking can help us to have that control, that vision to the final third.”
With City having the likes of Jeremy Doku and Savinho in their squad, putting these two on each wing could give Guardiola the chance to deploy Grealish in a midfield role to see if that ends up being the spark his side need to get their season back on track.
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