Pep Guardiola admits that Jack Grenish deserved to play more for Manchester City this season and insists that he has no personal resentment against the English winger.
Despite a season of sub-performance and a long list of injuries that included Grenish, the 29-year-old remained a peripheral figure for the title champions of the Premier League with Jeremy Doku and Savinho regularly preferred in the Great Hollands in the field.
Grealish is likely to play in the Fa cup in the fourth round in Leyton Orient tomorrow City looking to bounce back from last Sunday to 5-1 capitulation in Arsenal.
Asked about the former man of Aston Villa, Guardiola said: “I’m really sorry that they don’t get the minutes they may deserve but in the end, Jeremy’s contributions [Doku] Or Savinho has been massive this season. This is the only reason why; It’s not personal, or I don’t like Jack, or I don’t trust him.
“The manager must sometimes select a player in front of another, not only because you don’t like the other, but because a player can give you at the time of a season, right now. No more than that.
“Of course, I make mistakes and maybe he should play in other games, or maybe players who play should not, but it’s my world, my life, and you have to ‘accept.”
Orient will “cause trouble”
Leyton Orient goes well in Ligue 1 and Guardiola does not expect an easy afternoon in Brisbane Road.
He added: “Yes of course [they will bring trouble].
“Always we had problems in this competition, the FA Cup or the Carabao Cup, outside the teams of the Championship or League one or even in League two.
“Always we fight. But we are ready for the challenge. Each game is a new opportunity.
Pep 💬 (on Nico) is a position that we have been weak since the absence of Rodri. He’s a young player … he can play 6 or 8 … he’s a strong boy. I know him about Barcelona and his father worked here. Really happy for the club and looking at the following years. pic.twitter.com/chg9pu9ckg
– Manchester City (@Mancity) February 7, 2025
Guardiola satisfied with the capture of Gonzalez
The signing of the deadline for the deadline Nico Gonzalez could make its debut for City after its move from Porto and Guardiola is happy to have it on board.
He said: “It is a position where we were weak after the absence of Rodri.
“A young player, 23, can play number six and the number eight, more in the pockets. Physically – he’s a strong young boy.
“I know him of Barcelona Academy and his father worked here. I am really happy with the club’s effort to bring it here for the next few years. »»
