When Pep Guardiola gave Jack Grealish the no 10 jersey for Manchester City when Lionel Messi or Harry Kane might have preferred to wear it instead, it was the greatest praise.
Observe the summer of 2021. Grealish fever had swept the country as his daring performances, often from the bench, nearly led England to Euro 2020 triumph.
Guardiola, meanwhile, was persuaded by it enough to believe that he was the ideal candidate to advance City. They paid a hefty price for it—$100 million, still a British record.
Pep Guardiola and Messi reunion
Naturally, the expensive price tag and the fact that Pep Guardiola was strongly connected to demanding a reunion with Messi at that time both came with enormous pressure. City were also priced for a move for Kane.
Throughout it all, Pep Guardiola insisted that Grealish was his top target, but there was a remote possibility that Messi might have arrived at the Etihad Stadium at the same time, not to mention rumors surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo. This was because of the way the market changed after Messi left Barcelona for PSG on a free transfer.
Speaking about Grealish – amid links with Messi – when he signed, Pep Guardiola said:
“He will have the number 10 shirt because we were incredibly convinced with Jack Grealish and were convinced that Leo would continue with Barcelona.”
“We signed Jack and [thought] Messi would continue there. We believed Jack would be perfect for us.“
“For the age, for the quality, he will be an incredible player for the next five or six years. He’s got many mates here who know him and we’ll create the right environment for him to express his talent.”
“We believe we’ve got an incredible talent – and not just the skills but the mentality. He’s 25 and has the best years in his career [ahead]. He made an exceptional contribution at Aston Villa and he can get to another level with us.”
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The Jack Grealish and Guardiola repo
Since then, Grealish has faced many challenges, but he has maintained his cheerful outlook. City are currently reaping the benefits of their trust in the playmaker, who has carried the battle while Guardiola questioned that quality in other colleagues and is armed with his characteristic headband and little shin protectors. Looking at Pep Guardiola and Messi’s relationship there was a slight chance that Messi might have joined City.
Since the World Cup this winter, he has contributed to five goals—all but one of them—in six different games. Grealish undoubtedly wants more from his work, but Guardiola has long admired him, ever since the moment he first set eyes on the well-liked former Aston Villa captain.
Guardiola added:
“When I watch him on TV, I said that guy controls the tempo. I love when he has the ball, he stops before the dribble and opponents stop, as well. He controls the tempo and rhythm when he accelerates and decelerates the action.”
“Then, especially when we played against him, the physicality, the special mentality of how he fought against the opponents, against our players.“
He said,
‘I’m here’.“
Grealish has advanced to the next level and is in this country, but Guardiola will not let him stop there. If he can keep getting better, he could really support Pep Guardiola’s decision to pass on Messi.
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