Guardiola Evaluates Grealish Based on Pitch Performance Only
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Synopsis
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has made it clear that his judgment of players like Jack Grealish will strictly be based on their performance on the pitch, without regard for their personal life choices.
Key Takeaways
- Guardiola prioritizes on-pitch performance over personal life.
- Grealish spotted socializing post-FA Cup match.
- Manager supports players' right to personal time.
- New signings bolster City's squad for upcoming challenges.
- Grealish's future is uncertain amid World Cup considerations.
Manchester, Match 8 (NationPress) Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has emphasized that his evaluation of players like Jack Grealish will rely exclusively on their on-field performances, not on their personal lives.
This statement follows the emergence of social media images depicting Grealish enjoying time at a social club with friends, along with reports from Mail Online about his night out in Newcastle on the same evening.
Both events reportedly occurred last Sunday, just a day after City's FA Cup fifth-round triumph over Plymouth, where Grealish played the entire match. According to Mail Online, the England international was seen engaging with local patrons, taking photos, and even treating guests to drinks at the North East venue.
Last month, the £100 million signing, who has featured in only one Premier League match since December 4, was also spotted leaving a popular London nightclub.
When questioned about the images involving Grealish, Guardiola stated: “A day off is a day off. They have private lives to do whatever they want. I’m not going to control what they do in their private life.”
“I judge what I see on the pitch, the training sessions and the performances in the game.”
Guardiola has strengthened his squad with four new additions during the winter transfer window, including Egyptian forward Omar Marmoush from Eintracht Frankfurt for £59 million.
More acquisitions are anticipated in the summer as City seeks to regroup following lackluster campaigns in the Premier League and Champions League.
With his contract extending until 2027, Grealish's future remains uncertain, particularly in a World Cup year, after his omission from England's Euro 2024 squad.
“It’s so good to have a dream to play in the World Cup and Euros with his national team. I’m not bothered with that,” Guardiola remarked.
“What happens in terms of Jack, in terms of everyone, they will be treated at the end of the season. I don’t know what is going to happen but now we are playing for many important things.”
