“It’s not difficult” – Pep Guardiola responds to Jack Grealish admission over Man City tactics

Pep Guardiola has responded to Jack Grealish’s comments when the Manchester City forward discussed the difficulty in transitioning to the style of play at the Etihad Stadium.

Grealish – who completed a £100m from Aston Villa in 2021 – admitted after the Chelsea league game last week that he had found it more difficult than he had thought to change from a relatively free role that he had at Aston Villa to a different system at the Etihad.

Kalvin Phillips has had to wait six months for a competitive start since moving from Leeds, with the England international set to start in the League Cup game at Southampton.

Grealish is not alone in struggling to shine in his first year under Guardiola, with many signings including Bernardo Silva and Riyad Mahrez having quiet debut seasons with the Premier League champions.

But while the manager accepts that his football can be very different from that of others, he still believes that it is simple to understand – as Grealish and others have learnt.

Speaking ahead of City’s trip to Southampton in the Carabao Cup quarter-final on Wednesday night, Pep Guardiola said, “It’s not difficult. The way we want to play is so simple.”

“Without the ball, help each other and with the ball, be in the right position to get the ball in better conditions.

“I would say Jack (Grealish) would understand – At Aston Villa, Jack was told do whatever you want. Here is different. Sometimes you have a bit more time, but we’ve spoken with Jack about positions and tactics. He’s so comfortable in there, but honestly, it’s not difficult.”

The 27-year-old winger has made 11 Premier League appearances this term and has recorded just one goal and three assists throughout them.

He will be keen to get right back to where he left things this week, after Jack Grealish missed the weekend’s FA Cup third round clash against Chelsea through illness.