"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.
READ MORE: How Jack Grealish can make all the difference for Man City against Manchester United
Grealish scored his first goal of the current season against Wolves - a poacher's finish inside the first minute at Molineux - and City fans will be hoping that it turns out to be the first of many. Now he has hit back at those who have criticised his start to the season.
"I've played just two games since coming back from injury, 60 minutes in one and 15 in the other. I'm definitely nowhere near 100 per cent at the moment," Grealish told CityTV after the Wolves game a fortnight ago.
"I still have a lot of fitness to improve on but that'll come. I need to keep training to be at the best of my ability, then I’ll get chances on the pitch. Then you’ll see the best Jack Grealish. Pep's been brilliant with me and I have to thank him."
Grealish was understandably delighted to open his account for the season, but as Pep has always insisted, he believes his progress at City should not be measured solely by goals and assists.
"There were games last season where I didn't perform to the best of my ability, but for me, it's not all about goals and assists. I think nowadays people get so worked up and clued in to goals and assists. Listen, they mean a lot for attacking players but I just don't think football is just about that.
"I hope during this second season I play more and play better - that's what I need to do, no one needs to tell me that, I know that myself. But it takes a while to adapt to a Pep Guardiola team and his system, and so I'm sure I will."
Grealish has spent the past week-and-a-half on international duty with England; he came on as a substitute during the 1-0 defeat to Italy but missed the 3-3 draw with Germany through suspension.
Next up for him at City is the Manchester derby, a fixture in which he played the full 90 minutes back in March. He'll be looking to impress again on Sunday, whether that means goals and assists or not.
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