Manchester City fans are flustered, Pep Guardiola fans are worried, and neutrals are sitting at the edge of their seats after the Cityzens’ most recent performances.
Yet, Jack Grealish insists that all is fine at the club.
English football’s first £100 million man watched as his team was dropped down to fourth on the table thanks to a loss at Aston Villa. Then he watched as his side almost gave way to Luton Town last weekend until they were able to turn it around, thanks to his winning goal at Kenilworth Road.
That win was City’s first win in five league games. It brought a little respite for the defending champions who were on course to claim a fourth straight season. It did not stop the murmurs, though.
After the game in the interview area, Grealish was asked his thoughts about the match’s outcome and on Manchester City’s recent struggles. He replied that the media treats his team unfairly, comparing the way the media have handled their recent run to other Premier League teams.
“We lost one game in four and we played four brilliant teams,” said Grealish. “Look at Arsenal. Did they beat Chelsea? No. Did they beat Villa? No. Did they beat Spurs? No. They didn’t win against those teams.”
“But then we didn’t win… it’s, “City are in a crisis, blah blah blah”. I think people try to act as if there’s a big crisis when, in reality, there’s not.”
“We’re four points off the top of the league and going to Saudi Arabia next week to try to win a cup that cements us as the best in the world.”
Grealish’s comments are a sign of the club taking a new direction in their interviews. Last time out, it was Pep Guardiola insisting that his club came back from behind to win the league and that the journalists were being uncouth with their line of questioning.
In the meantime, Grealish and his teammates will be listening to Guardiola’s instructions ahead of their trip to Serbia to face Red Star Belgrade in the UEFA Champions League. After that, they will be travelling to Saudi Arabia next week for their Club World Cup semi final tie against a team that is yet to be decided.
Meanwhile, Erling Haaland’s foot injury is giving the club cause for concern. They are considering delving into the January window for a new striker if the problem persists.
“The day after (the 1-0 defeat at Aston Villa on December 6), [Haaland] could hardly walk properly,” Guardiola told reporters after the game against Luton. “Yesterday I spoke with him and he said he was feeling much, much better, that he could walk without pain.”
“The doctor says we have to see day-by-day, week-by-week how it will get better. Maybe he will be ready for Crystal Palace, I don’t think so but we will see.”
