Pep Guardiola explains why Jack Grealish has not been starting for Man City

Pep Guardiola is waiting for Jack Grealish to rediscover the form that helped propel Manchester City to a Treble.

Grealish was a key part of the side that made history last season with three trophies, and has shown flashes of that form since; he scored in three consecutive Premier League games for the first time in his career when he netted against Tottenham, Luton, and Palace. However, he had played just 20 minutes in the last four matches and the return of Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland has made competition for places even stiffer.

"This season was not like last season, but he's getting better. This season lately he is getting better and we're looking forward," said Guardiola.

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"He's doing the steps to get to his best level and now is competing with players at a high level. This is the only reason why. He has to demand himself to get back where he was especially last season and all the time in Villa. I'm looking forward to give him minutes."

As well as having injuries and illness to contend with this season, Grealish also had the traumatic experience of learning that his home had been broken into while he was playing at Everton over Christmas but his family were in the house. The former Villa man spoke out about his devastation over the incident and the hurt it had caused to those close to him.

Guardiola was happy to name him in the team for the following game but had sympathy for how it had affected the player. The City boss hopes that Grealish can move on and be able to concentrate on his football.

"I'm pretty sure [it affected him] for a few days. Hopefully he forgot it