Pep Guardiola praises return of Jack Grealish but urges improvement in specific area

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has praised the recent return of Jack Grealish, but warned the Englishman about the need for attacking improvement.

The 28-year-old has started Manchester City’s last three matches, including Tuesday’s thrilling 3-3 draw with Real Madrid in the first-leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Grealish provided two assists in the Spanish capital, and also played an important role in the Sky Blues’ 2-4 win over Crystal Palace in the Premier League at Selhurst Park last weekend.

The England international has started just 23 matches for Manchester City so far this season, with the forward’s campaign at the Etihad Stadium impacted by a series of injury problems, forcing Grealish to miss a number of fixtures for club and country.

Pep Guardiola’s side face Luton Town at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon, with the potential to move to the top of the Premier League table with a win, ahead of a defining week for Manchester City’s silverware hopes.

Real Madrid are visitors to the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday evening, before the Cityzens travel to Wembley Stadium to face Chelsea in the Emirates FA Cup semi-finals next Saturday evening.

Ahead of this weekend’s Premier League clash against Luton, Guardiola praised the recent performances of the 28-year-old, saying: “We are really pleased. We miss him. And he has to continue until the end.

“And that level is the Jack (Grealish) that we know, and the personality, and the same he has to improve in some departments, in finishing for example. But this is the Jack we know from last season, that helps us again to do it, and this season unfortunately could not be there.

“I’m pretty sure he learned the lesson and he’s going to help us in this month and a half, not just the next years, so the years he has ahead of him for his career can perform in that level.”

Grealish could play a crucial role in the Blues’ upcoming fixtures, with the Englishman having helped Manchester City to an historic treble last season.