Pep Guardiola has challenged an England international to raise his game | OneFootball

One of the more disappointing performers for Manchester City this season has been Jack Grealish. The England international hasn’t made the impact he would have desired so far this season. Niggling injuries and poor form have seen the England international slip down Pep Guardiola’s pecking order. But speaking after Manchester City’s 4-1 win over West Ham, Pep Guardiola has thrown down the challenge to Jack Grealish. Now it’s up to Grealish to respond. Whether or not he does may well dictate his future.

Speaking after his team’s win over West Ham Pep Guardiola explained that Savinho has now gone past Jack Grealish. The Brazilian international has been in sparkling form of late. His rise has seen him become Pep Guardiola’s preferred left winger at this stage of the season. Guardiola challenged Grealish to get back to the form he showed during Manchester City’s treble winning season of 2022/23. The City manager explained: “It’s easy. As much as he looks at himself, he will see the competition. He has to compete with himself. Savinho is in better shape and everything than Jack and that’s why I played Savinho.”

“I want the Jack that won the Treble. I want it. But I try to be honest with myself for that. What happened with Savinho’s delivery in the box? It’s higher than the other wingers in that position.”

“And they have to fight. You can say, “OK, it’s unfair”. If you think that, then it’s fine. But you have to prove, “I’m going to fight with Savinho, to deserve to play in that position”. Every single day, and every single week and every single month.”

It’s now up to Jack Grealish to respond to Pep Guardiola’s challenge.

Pep Guardiola’s challenge to Jack Grealish is a shot across the bow of the England international. There is no doubt that Savinho has gone past Grealish in the pecking order at Manchester City. His performances have shown that and there is little doubt that the Brazilian is fast becoming a player that is a key part of Pep Guardiola’s best starting eleven. But now it is on Jack Grealish to respond. If he doesn’t he looks destined to be stuck on the bench. Perhaps if he doesn’t respond to Guardiola’s challenge he may play himself out of Manchester City next summer.

Grealish has the talent to respond to Guardiola’s challenge. That has never been in question. But his productivity must increase and his performances must lift. For to long he has performed below the level demanded by Pep Guardiola. That simply must change for the England international to earn his spot back as City’s first choice left winger. He can’t continue to coast on past heroics and must now respond to the challenge that Savinho’s form has presented him. It’s the only way that Grealish can answer Pep Guardiola’s challenge.

Perhaps it is the right time for Pep Guardiola to challenge Jack Grealish. The England international has so far had a poor 24/25 season. It may be exactly what Grealish needs to get back to his best. But it’s now on him to respond and it will interesting to see if he can after Guardiola fired a shot across the bow of the winger.