“I thought i gained his trust but Pep Guardiola betrayed me and choose a player with 2 goals last Season over me”- Jack Grealish pinpoints moment he felt he gained Pep Guardiola’s trust
Jack Grealish has pinpointed the moment he believed he had earned Pep Guardiola’s trust at Manchester City after his then-British record £100 million signing.
The 28-year-old England regular failed to make an impact for the Premier League champions at first as he adjusted to his new surroundings and Guardiola’s method. After taking his time, the ex-Aston Villa captain subsequently played wonderfully in the run-up to City’s historic treble last season.
Grealish believes the turning moment came after the mid-season World Cup, when he and the Three Lions were humiliated by France in the quarter-finals. Following his return, the 20-cap forward went on to record four goals and seven assists in 20 games.
In the FA Cup and Champions League finals, he played 89 and 90 minutes, respectively. Grealish also started 15 consecutive Premier League games before the club’s third successive title was confirmed.
During his most recent appearance on the club’s podcast, the popular playmaker spoke at length about his career at the Etihad Stadium and beyond, revealing the precise moment when he first believed he had Guardiola’s undying trust. “I’m a big confidence player, I want to feel loved,” Grealish stated.
“When I returned from the World Cup, my first game was against Leeds, and I should have scored at least two goals in the first half, and I was dwelling on that at halftime.” But in the second half, I assisted Erling twice.”
“A week later, I was on the bench at Chelsea, as me and Riyad [Mahrez] came on at the same time, and I got another assist for his goal,” Grealish continued. Following that, I just seemed to acquire more goal involvements.
“I felt I was playing well in myself, too, and the manager was picking me in big games like for Arsenal in the FA Cup and Arsenal in the Premier League, as well as Tottenham and others.” I was feeling Pep’s love, not because he said it, but because he was playing me in all those important games.
“It’s acceptable if the manager says, ‘You’re so vital to the team, Jack,’ then doesn’t pick you. ‘Yeah, you’re just saying that,’ you’d think. Pep didn’t say anything, but he chose me for the important games, which said everything.”
