Jack Grealish has regressed badly under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City this season.
Pep Guardiola brought Jack Grealish to Manchester City from Aston Villa in the summer of 2021 in a blockbuster £100 million deal.
However, he hasn’t really lived up to that price-tag if truth be known.
Jack Grealish is said to be open to leaving Manchester City this summer, with AC Milan circling for his signature.
He has been completely ineffectual for Man City this season, with just one Premier League goal and zero assists to his name.
Photo by Molly Darlington/Copa/Getty Images
Photo by Molly Darlington/Copa/Getty Images
Thierry Henry highlighted how Pep Guardiola has transformed Jack Grealish into more of a functioning winger, in stark contrast from the player he was at Villa.
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However, if Man City want to sell Grealish this summer, Pep is going about it all the wrong way.
Pep Guardiola playing a dangerous game with Jack Grealish
The Man City boss is untouchable at the Etihad, and rightly so after his incredible trophy haul throughout the past eight-and-a-half years.
What Pep says, goes.
However, his treatment of Grealish over the past year or so has been questionable, regardless of whether or not you agree with the principle of his methods.
Pep has given Grealish just six starts in the Premier League, and only four in the Champions League.
He’s only been out of action with injuries for a total of 32 days as well (Transfermarkt), so his lack of action has nothing to do with unavailability.
Has the former Villa man been jettisoned from the City starting XI because his form has just fallen off a cliff?
Or are there other factors contributing to his demise at The Etihad Stadium?
Jack Grealish’s value is tanking at Manchester City
The 29-year-old will be out of contract at the Etihad in the summer of 2027.
So this upcoming summer window would be the ideal time to sell him at maximum value.
Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images
However, Pep isn’t helping matters.
The Man City manager was recently highly critical of Jack, as quoted by the Daily Mail:
“As much as (Grealish) looks at himself, he will see the competition,’ Guardiola said. ‘He has to compete with himself. Savinho is in better shape and everything than Jack and that’s why I played Savinho.
“I want the Jack that won the Treble. But I try to be honest with myself for that. What happened with Savinho’s delivery in the box? It’s higher than the other wingers in that position.
“And they have to fight. You can say “OK, it’s unfair”. If you think that, then it’s fine. But you have to prove, ‘I’m going to fight with Savinho, to deserve to play in that position’. And every single day, and every single week and every single month.“
Whilst Pep Guardiola has clearly been trying to motivate Manchester City star Jack Grealish in his own unique way, he’s simultaneously tanking the winger’s value.
Grealish’s value will go through the floor when potential buyers see comments like those above.
Pep is playing a dangerous game with Jack, and if he continues, it won’t end well for City.