Pep Guardiola says he is satisfied with Jack Grealish’s contribution at Manchester City this season despite the midfielder’s lack of goals and assists.
Grealish became the most expensive signing English football history when arriving at the Etihad from Aston Villa last summer, becoming the Premier League’s first £100m footballer.
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The England international spoke on his desire to provide more goals and assists in December, following an underwhelming campaign that has seen the 26-year-old register just four goal involvements from 17 league appearances.
“I think the main [statistics] are the goals and the assists,” he said. “They are the ones I am trying to work on the most.”
Guardiola has questioned Grealish’s view, however, and insists the midfielder’s overall impact on the side is more important than his tangible contribution around goal.
The midfielder has missed the club’s last four games with a shin problem but is in line to return as City face Peterborough in the FA Cup’s fifth round on Tuesday evening.
“Maybe he listened too much to what the people say,” Guardiola told the media ahead of the clash with Peterborough.
“It’s wrong but the statistics are better and he plays quite similar to Aston Villa in terms of ball contact.
“He had the chances against Crystal Palace in 20 minutes to score three goals. It didn’t happen but it’s going to happen. We didn’t buy him to score 45 goals.”
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