Pep Guardiola insisted he had no issue with Jack Grealish enjoying a night out – but warned he must deliver on the pitch for Manchester City.
Pictures emerged this week of the England international apparently visiting a number of venues in the north east – including a social club where he reportedly bought drinks for the locals – last weekend.
Grealish was not breaking any club rules, with the squad having been given two days off following Saturday’s FA Cup fifth-round win over Plymouth.
Yet the stories have led some to question the 29-year-old’s professionalism amid what has been a difficult campaign both for him and the team.
But City manager Guardiola said: “They know what they have to do.
“A day off is a day off, there is no training. They have private lives to do whatever they want. I’m not going to control what they do in their private life.
“I judge what I see on the pitch, the training sessions and the performances in the game. That’s where I judge the players.”
Guardiola has handed Grealish just 14 starts in all competitions this season.
Fitness issues have been a factor but the player signed for £100million four years ago does seem to have fallen down the pecking order.
Guardiola said: “I want Jack at his best, of course, but he’s had setbacks and didn’t play.
“That was sometimes for the injuries, he could not get the rhythm that you need for being ready every three days.
“Jack played really good the last game and hopefully he can have the consistency.”
Grealish was dropped by England for Euro 2024 and his continued lack of top-level action could damage his chances of impressing new boss Thomas Tuchel as the World Cup qualifying campaign begins.
Guardiola hopes he can turn the situation around but is offering
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