Pep Guardiola has revealed he wanted to bring Jack Grealish to Manchester City ‘years ago’ when he watched the midfielder play for the first time.
City completed a British record £100m transfer deal to sign Grealish earlier this week, with the 25-year-old bringing an end to a near 20-year association with boyhood club Aston Villa.
The England international has put pen to paper on a six-year contract at the Etihad and takes over Sergio Aguero’s iconic No.10 shirt ahead of the new season.
It’s understood Guardiola identified Grealish as one of his top targets at the start of the transfer window but the Spaniard has been eyeing a move for the ex-Villa captain way before City’s move began gathering pace this summer.
‘It was the first time I saw him playing. Years ago, when I saw him for the first time,’ Guardiola told reporters when asked to reveal the moment he realised Grealish was perfect for his team.
‘Sometimes it’s not possible, you have the squad, you have to invest in other parts of the team which are weaker but especially when I saw him on TV, I said this guy controls the tempo I love when he has the ball he stops before the dribble and the opponent stops as well.
‘He controls the tempo when he accelerates and decelerates. Especially when I saw him when we played Aston Villa, the physicality, the mentality.
‘I liked many things we saw, that’s why we tried, especially Txiki, Txiki was completely in love with him so that’s why we decided to try. We could do it because we could sell, otherwise Jack would still be a Villa player.
‘We believe that he will be perfect for us and for the age, quality plus he is English. I’m sure he will be an incredible player for the national team and we’re delighted to have him with us.’
Guardiola confirmed that Grealish will play no part in this weekend’s Community Shield clash between City and Leicester but the midfielder will travel with the rest of the squad to Wembley.
‘He’s not ready to start at all,’ Guardiola added.
‘He was one week training alone but he’ll travel with us tomorrow to settle in the team and with meetings. He’ll be on the bench.
‘After, we will see what happens but in the beginning? No way.’
Grealish’s versatility stood out to Guardiola while at Villa and the Catalan is confident he has the ‘quality’ to play in a range of positions for City.
‘He can play up front of course, mainly in the left side area but can play as a winger, as an attacking midfielder, as a striker,’ he explained.
‘Many positions with his quality.’
MORE : Kevin De Bruyne tells Jack Grealish it’s ‘time to get to work’ after Man City move confirmed
MORE : Chelsea legend John Terry sends class message to new Man City signing Jack Grealish
0 Commentaires