Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has expressed his confidence in midfielder Jack Grealish’s ability to return to form after a difficult season. Grealish, who played a crucial role in City’s successful treble campaign last season, has found himself on the fringes of the team this year. Despite starting both legs of the Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid, Grealish has only featured for 10 minutes in City’s May fixtures. He was also an unused substitute in key Premier League games and the FA Cup final.
Guardiola opted to bring on Jeremy Doku instead of Grealish in the recent 2-1 defeat against Manchester United, and the Belgian winger made an immediate impact by scoring. While Grealish’s place in England’s Euro 2024 squad is not guaranteed due to stiff competition, Guardiola remains confident in his abilities and believes he will return to the level he displayed last season.
Looking ahead to the summer, Guardiola acknowledged that there are issues to address despite City’s historic achievement of winning four consecutive league titles. Midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, who is 32 years old, has one year left on his contract and has not been in top form recently. There are also doubts about the futures of goalkeeper Ederson and his understudy Stefan Ortega. Ederson has been linked with a potential move to Saudi Arabia, while Ortega made a costly mistake in the FA Cup final.
In terms of incoming transfers, City is expected to sign 20-year-old Brazilian winger Savio from Girona. Savio has been impressive in La Liga this season and has helped Girona secure qualification for the Champions League. He is currently on loan from another club within the City Football Group, Troyes. The deal for Savio is likely to be finalized in the coming weeks.
Overall, Guardiola remains optimistic about City’s future despite the challenges they face. While some players may leave the club, he trusts in the decisions made by his sporting director and looks forward to potential additions to the squad. Grealish’s return to form and the arrival of promising young talent like Savio could provide a boost to City’s already formidable lineup as they aim for continued success in the Premier League and beyond.