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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
David Hytner in Paris

Will fresh blood bring the swagger back to Manchester City?

Jack Grealish (centre) looks dejected after the final whistle in Paris.
Jack Grealish (centre) looks dejected after the final whistle in Paris. Photograph: Adam Davy/PA

Manchester City have called for the cavalry and, based on the evidence of Wednesday night at Paris Saint-Germain and numerous other performances over the past few months, it cannot arrive quickly enough. Something is missing within the serial Premier League champions and it was revealing to hear Jack Grealish reach for a word that has routinely been associated with them; with the winger and his own game, too. Swagger.

At times like these, with City’s title defence in flames and their Champions League hopes heading to the wire and a must-win home tie against Club Brugge on Wednesday, it is inevitable that confidence will be affected. What Grealish and everyone connected to the club hope is that a concentrated and explosive spending burst can provide a psychological lift, as much as anything else.

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