Pep Guardiola has defended record signing Jack Grealish after he came in for criticism for his performance against Borussia Dortmund in midweek.
Grealish managed to get none of his three shots on target, and completed none of his three cross attempts, with his predictability something that even the commentators picked up on.
He was taken off just before the hour too, with the score 1-0 to Dortmund, with Phil Foden sent on to replace his compatriot in a move that only ensured Grealish’s performance was remembered as well below what he is capable of.
But City boss Pep Guardiola was quick to jump to the defence of the former Aston Villa skipper, telling reporters that judging Grealish on solely his output is to judge him wrongly.
“We didn’t sign Grealish for goals & assists”, Guardiola explained. It’s how he contributes without the ball and how he produces for others. He started really well and then stopped because of problems in the ankle.”
“He is a nice guy, and when he doesn’t play he is the first to help the team. I am delighted about his behaviour and everything. I want him to score goals and get assists, and he does too.”
“In the last game in the final third, he was the only one making an aggressive one v one. But the moment to make assists, his mates weren’t in the box, we left him isolated.”
“I know him and I am more than happy and delighted with what he is doing. It’s now just a question of time for him to get back the momentum he had at the start of the season.”
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