"We didn't sign him for the incredible [number of] goals and assists he made at Aston Villa."
Speaking ahead the day before Manchester City's 3-0 defeat of Wolves two weeks ago, Pep Guardiola was unwavering in his defence of Jack Grealish. The majority of questions posed to the manager by reporters centred around the form of the English attacker, such has been the constant scrutiny of his performances since City signed him from Aston Villa for £100m over a year ago.
Grealish's underwhelming return of three league goals and three assists in his first season at the Etihad Stadium meant that anything less than a blistering start to this season would be justification for many to label the 27-year-old a flop.
