Pep Guardiola makes Jack Grealish request after Man City 'street player' proves him wrong

Pep Guardiola has told Jack Grealish he can still have a starring role at Manchester City this season - if he shows his personality on the pitch more often.

Grealish started at Brisbane Road on Saturday for his first start since the FA Cup third round win over Salford, and showed the hesitation that has kept him out of the team early on against Leyton Orient. After a team display that was too ponderous in the first half, the £100m signing found his groove in the second half and played an important part in both goals that allowed the Premier League champions to complete a comeback that didn't always look likely.

Guardiola was full of praise afterwards for Grealish and Savinho, and was particularly happy with the former given he has played so scarcely this season. If he can bring more performances like he did on Saturday, that will change.

"Savinho and Jack were outstanding," said Guardiola. "We created the chances when the ball came from there. They played really good

"I'm really pleased with Jack. Jack has this sense of the street - a player of the street. Today most of the players are for the manager, they are so academic. 'You have to do this, you have to do that'.

"Jack is there to fight in the stadiums when people shout and he's a fighter and I'm really pleased because he didn't play the last games, mainly because Savinho on the left side made an incredible connection with Erling but this season is still open and I'm happy for the performance."

Talk of Grealish being a street player will be music to the ears of those who worship at the altar of 'Villa Jack', a mythical creature who supposedly roamed free all over the pitch getting goals and assists for fun. Contrary to those perceptions, Guardiola said he wants