Pep Guardiola urges ‘Street Fighter’ Grealish to prove him wrong

Guardiola calls Grealish a "street fighter," urging him to prove his worth as competition intensifies at Man City.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has challenged Jack Grealish to fight for his place after the England forward’s reduced role this season.

Grealish, 29, has been eased out of Guardiola’s preferred XI, with Brazilian winger Savinho in fine form, Oscar Bobb returning from injury, and £63 million January signing Omar Marmoush settling in.

Despite limited game time, Grealish impressed in City’s FA Cup win over Leyton Orient, setting up Kevin De Bruyne’s winner. However, he is expected to return to the bench for Tuesday’s Champions League clash against Real Madrid.

"Jack has this sense of the street," Guardiola said. "He is a fighter. He fights in the stadiums when people shout. Against Orient, I saw the glimpse that he is going to rebel, to show the manager how wrong he is. I love that."

Grealish, one of the most expensive British players ever at £100m, was instrumental in City's treble-winning campaign but has seen his influence wane. Guardiola insists competition is key.

"Players have to understand it’s not new contracts that make them better, it’s competition," Guardiola said. "They have to fight with Savinho, (Jeremy) Doku, and Phil (Foden)."

Meanwhile, Guardiola hopes £50m midfielder Nico Gonzalez will recover in time for the Real Madrid clash after suffering a knock against Leyton Orient.