Pep Guardiola has told Jack Grealish he has to be himself after ending his wait for his first goal of the season in Manchester City's victory at Wolves.
Grealish came in for criticism after his performance in City's Champions League clash with Borussia Dortmund in midweek, but Guardiola kept faith with him and the £100million winger scored after 55 seconds at Molineux.
Guardiola had defended Grealish from scrutiny on the eve of this game and after it, Grealish said he owed his manager for that support.
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But Guardiola insists his faith in the club's record signing has never wavered and that he had to remain true to himself, rather than listening to any outside noise.
“I said to them many times they are here because I trust them unconditionally, all of them. I know them. I trust them unconditionally and Jack is not an exception," he said.
"He scored a goal and it was a good performance. Every time he has the ball it’s one against one against the full-back all the time. Ok, he didn’t score or assist but it’s a question of time.
"We didn’t help them to make more runners in the final third to create more time for him so that they have to play for themselves. They don’t have to say thank you. I have confidence in all of them and they have to play for them.
"Of course, I am happy for him, for the victory, for his incredible personality to play. That’s why I am happy for the goal he scored."
Grealish has faced extra focus on his lack of returns for City as a result of his transfer fee and this was just his seventh goal in 43 appearances for the club, with just four assists in those games.
The questions around his performances have intensified after a slow start to the season, but he was excellent in the rout at Sevilla recently and has now earned three successive starts.
“Yeah, maybe [there is extra focus on the fee]. We have to admit it. But it’s like today, you are 11 vs 10 and it was not easy," said Guardiola.
"Wolves were better than us and you play a lot for a transfer, they have to do incredible things. He has to be who he is, that is all. Good moments, bad moments everyone has.
"The important thing is ‘I am Jack Grealish, I play like I am. I go there with a good mentality and try to do the best for myself to help all of us’. That is all I want for him and everyone.”
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