In the high-stakes world of Manchester City, where precision and discipline define success, Jack Grealish finds himself under the spotlight following revelations from former teammate Riyad Mahrez about manager Pep Guardiola’s expectations for wingers. Mahrez, who thrived under Guardiola’s system before moving to the Saudi Pro League, recently shared insights into the tactical rigor demanded of City’s wide players, casting a shadow over Grealish’s current standing at the Etihad Stadium. As Grealish struggles to secure regular playing time, Mahrez’s comments highlight the defensive responsibilities that have become a sticking point in the England international’s tenure with the club.
Guardiola’s philosophy is renowned for its meticulous attention to detail, particularly for wingers, who are expected to balance attacking flair with defensive diligence. Mahrez revealed that Guardiola insists wingers track back relentlessly to support full-backs, ensuring the team remains compact against opposition attacks. “We spoke at half-time about the way we have to do it, and they didn’t do it,” Guardiola once remarked after a heated exchange with Mahrez and Grealish during a 2021 Champions League match against RB Leipzig. This directive, Mahrez explained, is non-negotiable, with wingers tasked with covering wide areas to prevent opponents from exploiting spaces behind the full-backs. Failure to execute these duties, as Mahrez’s comments suggest, draws the manager’s ire, as seen in that animated touchline moment where both players were reprimanded.
For Grealish, who joined City for a record-breaking £100 million in 2021, adapting to these demands has been a challenge. His flair and ball-carrying ability, which made him a standout at Aston Villa, have not consistently translated into Guardiola’s system, where control and structure reign supreme. During the Leipzig match, Grealish admitted the discussion was about “defensive work,” choosing not to elaborate further to avoid revealing tactical secrets. “I won’t go too much into it because he might want the same tactics for the weekend,” he said post-match, hinting at the intense scrutiny players face under Guardiola. This incident, among others, underscores the high expectations placed on City’s wingers, who must marry creativity with defensive discipline.
Grealish’s struggles have been compounded by a lack of consistent minutes, with only seven Premier League starts in the 2024-25 season. His omission from key matches, including the FA Cup final and the Club World Cup squad, has fueled speculation about his future. Guardiola has publicly defended Grealish, insisting his exclusions are due to “selection” and competition from players like Jérémy Doku and Savinho, rather than off-field behavior. “The only reason he didn’t play minutes was me, not because he was incorrect or whatever,” Guardiola stated, emphasizing that Grealish’s quality remains unquestioned. Yet, the manager’s candid admission that Grealish “has to play football every three days” suggests a growing impatience, with a potential loan move on the horizon if his form doesn’t improve.
Mahrez’s insights serve as a reminder of the steep learning curve for wingers in Guardiola’s system. Players like Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sané also faced initial struggles before excelling in their second seasons, a trajectory Grealish has yet to follow. Mahrez himself adapted to become a key figure in City’s attack, delivering crucial goals during their 2022-23 treble-winning campaign. His comments highlight the gap between Grealish’s current output and the expectations set by Guardiola, who values players who “make the team play well” over individual statistics. “Players today play for the statistics, but this is the biggest mistake they can make,” Guardiola once remarked, a sentiment that resonates as Grealish grapples with limited goal contributions—four goals and two assists since the start of last season.
The narrative around Grealish is complex. His charisma and likability endear him to fans, but his inability to consistently meet Guardiola’s defensive demands has led to a perception that he’s “lost his way,” as pundit Alan Shearer noted. With clubs like Napoli, Everton, and even a potential return to Aston Villa reportedly monitoring his situation, Grealish faces a pivotal moment in his career. The pressure is on to rediscover the form that made him a star, but Mahrez’s revelations underscore the challenge: at Manchester City, brilliance in attack is only half the battle. As the season progresses, Grealish must prove he can embody the complete winger Guardiola demands, or risk his time at the Etihad coming to an abrupt end.
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