YOUNG BOYS TIE CAN SPARK PEP’S CITY

YOUNG BOYS V MAN CITY

IF Pep Guardiola is right and Manchester City are battling a hangover following up their historic Treble-winning season, Jack Grealish has every right to be feeling its effects more than most.

Not because as the poster boy of their celebrations in those heady days last June he was front right and centre of the party. Although he was.

No, because in the last few months of the season he was as good a player as Guardiola put on the pitch and he left as much out there as anyone into the fight for silverware.

Both Guardiola and Grealish accept that this season has definitely been a slow burner for club and country albeit one hampered by a dead leg against strugglers Sheffield United in the last days of August which left the playmaker unable to walk.

Yet the City boss believes the night lights of the Champions League against Young Boys this evening followed by the Manchester derby might spark the start of the comeback.

“I don’t have one doubt about Jack and his quality and what he has done for us since he arrived and especially last season,” said Guardiola.

“Some players are more hungover maybe but I don’t think so with Jack. He started the season a bit late and after when he started he had a big impact (injury) against Sheffield United and then had one month off.

“His body just needs rhythm because he’s strong, he’s not like Phil Foden or Bernardo who only need two or three training sessions.

“We cannot wait for him to get rhythm so he has to do training and continue to get rhythm but he will get it.”