Guardiola said: “He started a little bit late [for form] but in the last month Jack is back in terms of many things, that’s why he played an important game in the Champions League in Copenhagen. Unfortunately he had a setback [the injury] in 10-15 minutes.
“He played lots of minutes last season and this [season] less in the beginning – it’s the way he has performed. That’s the difference. I said from day one: ‘We need him, he has a special quality for our team.’ It depends on him. Hopefully he can do a good last three months.”
Guardiola warned that Grealish – like all players – will have to hit the ground running. “I cannot give three or four games for them to get their rhythm, they have to [find] the rhythm if playing 90 or 20 minutes,” he said. “At a high level, the team doesn’t wait.”
The City manager confirmed Grealish could start at Luton. “It’s possible. Normally when we play Saturday to Tuesday I don’t decide the line up and everything [in advance]. I will see the training today [Monday],” he said.
In light of Liverpool’s victory over Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday, securing at least one trophy for Jürgen Klopp in his final season as manager before he resigns, Guardiola finds himself in his eighth year at City, with his contract expiring at the end of the next term. While Guardiola has yet to make a decision regarding his future, he was asked if Klopp’s departure, considering he’s been Guardiola’s primary rival, could influence his decision to extend his tenure.
“No. Of course Liverpool will hire a good manager,” the 53-year-old said. “I [also] see Arsenal, what is going to happen with Manchester United [Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s new regime], and Tottenham will be stronger, Aston Villa [too]. Newcastle – next season I am pretty sure they will be better because they will be used to playing every three days [due to European competition].”