Pep Guardiola dismisses concerns over Jack Grealish’s pub pictures, insisting he only judges players on performances, not their personal lives.
If discipline was a defining trait of Manchester City’s success under Pep Guardiola then the latest images of Jack Grealish enjoying himself at various pubs in the North East suggest the manager is willing to grant his players some freedom away from the pitch.
The £100m forward was pictured on a night out last Sunday, visiting a social club and two other establishments, all of which served alcohol.
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Grealish, who has struggled with injuries and form this season, also reportedly put money behind the bar, treating other customers to drinks. His public outing has sparked debate, but for Guardiola, the situation is simple.
“A day off is a day off, there is no training. They have private lives to do whatever they want. I’m not going to control what they do in their private life. I judge what I see on the pitch, the training sessions and the performances in the game. That’s where I judge the players,” Guardiola said when asked about the images of Grealish as per BBC.
The Spaniard’s relaxed stance marks a departure from how some managers handle players' off-field activities.
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Given Grealish’s limited game time—he has started just one Premier League match since early December—some have speculated whether his public socializing could impact his standing at City.
However, Guardiola maintains that only on-pitch performances will dictate Grealish’s future at the club.
The former Aston Villa captain has endured a difficult campaign, starting just 14 times in all competitions.
Injuries have played their part, but even when fit, he has struggled to cement a regular spot in the starting XI.
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Guardiola, however, remains indifferent to such speculation.
“I understand all the frustrations of all my players. It’s so good to have a dream to play in the World Cup and the European Cup with his national team. I’m not bothered by that. What happens in terms of Jack, in terms of everyone, they will be treated at the end of the season,” he said.
Manchester City’s focus remains on securing more silverware, and Guardiola wants all his players locked in for the challenges ahead.