Pep Guardiola tells Jack Grealish to ignore Dean Smith advice amid Man City struggles

Pep Guardiola has urged Jack Grealish to ignore criticism aimed at his lack of goals since arriving at Manchester City from boyhood club Aston Villa in the summer.

Grealish has scored just two goals in 18 Premier League appearances so far this season following his Premier League record transfer.

After signing a five-year contract with Villa in September 2020 which included a £100million buy-out clause for any Champions League team to activate, the England international produced 18 goal contributions in 24 starts under Dean Smith last season.

But after joining City, Grealish has taken a little time to adapt to Guardiola's style and philosophy, admitting that the adaption period had been 'a lot more difficult' than he had expected.

City boss Guardiola doesn't think Grealish's lack of goals is a problem, however.

"If he is frustrated about his number of goals, he is a stupid man," Guardiola insisted.

"That is not necessary to be frustrated about scoring goals. He has to play, and play good and try to do his best, that's all he has to do. If he scores a goal, good. If not, next game."

But despite Guardiola's comments, Grealish had previously agreed with his former Villa boss Smith that his output had to improve so he could realise his frightening potential.

Grealish had always been criticised for his lack of goal involvements until his return to the Premier League in 2019, where he contributed to 14 in 36 appearances during his first campaign back in the top-flight.

His 13 goal involvements in 22 Championship games under Smith the season before proved what an influence the former Villa boss was beginning to have on his development.

Smith became Villa's head coach just months after Tottenham Hotspur tried to sign the