Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola addressed the situation regarding Jack Grealish’s impressive form at Everton after confirming that his team will be without key midfielder Rodri for their upcoming Premier League match against the Toffees. Rodri sustained a thigh injury during City’s last match against Brentford, limiting his playing time this season, as he has only completed a full match twice.
Guardiola conveyed his uncertainty about Rodri’s recovery timeline, stating at a press conference, “He is not ready for tomorrow,” while declining to give further details on how long he might be sidelined.
In contrast, Grealish has been thriving in his loan spell at Everton, where he is ineligible to play against his parent club this weekend due to league regulations. Guardiola expressed admiration for Grealish’s resurgence, emphasizing the positive impact of the move. He noted, “The impact has been massive since day one. He’s playing minutes, which is what he wanted. Since he didn’t have much playing time at City, he’s back to real business, playing every game.”
Despite not having communicated with Grealish since his move, Guardiola expressed hope of seeing him at the Etihad Stadium, adding that the rules prevent such a matchup. He remarked, “If I become a CEO or president running a big institution in England, maybe I would change it,” indicating his wish to see all players available for matches.
As City aims to bounce back after losing their title to Liverpool last season, Guardiola reiterated the importance of striving for success and ensuring the team improves continuously. He remains optimistic about the team’s progress, stating, “I see things that we are doing much, much, much better than last season. In every game, we are a little bit better.”
This season marks a new challenge for City as they seek to reclaim their dominance, and with players like Grealish finding their form elsewhere, it reflects the myriad of paths athletes can take to succeed in football.