Pep Guardiola calls for “no negativity” from Jack Grealish following Leeds United performance

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has called for a positive outlook from Jack Grealish in goalscoring situations, following his somewhat mixed performance against Leeds United.

City returned to winning ways in the top-flight after they closed the first-half of the season with a disappointing 1-2 defeat against Brentford prior to the start of the FIFA World Cup.

A largely controlled performance against Leeds United at Elland Road was topped off by a first-half strike from Rodrigo, and a second-half brace from Erling Haaland – who has now scored 20 goals in the Premier League and reached the milestone in record time.

However, onlookers will wonder how Manchester City were not more than 0-1 ahead before the half-time interval, as Pep Guardiola’s players squandered several missed opportunities, with Jack Grealish sounded out as the predominant culprit by some supporters.

Speaking to broadcasters after the match, Pep Guardiola said of Grealish, “He gave two brilliant assists. The second one, when we can rest the ball with Jack and Riyad (Mahrez), give us the right tempo to go back again and do the other side a little bit quicker.”

Despite the positive contribution in terms of providing for Erling Haaland, question marks still remain over Jack Grealish’s ability to finish off goalscoring chances himself, and Pep Guardiola was keen to discuss the matter himself.

The City boss told Amazon Prime, “Of course, he has to score goals. The chances is there. It’s a question of mentality, we see in training he has the ability to put the ball in the back of the net.”

He continued, “He’s not a striker but has the ability to do it. He has to say I’m going to go in front of goal and I’m going to score. No negativity. When it happens he will score goals.”

Manchester City only have a few days until their next game, as Everton visit the Etihad Stadium on New Years Eve, with a five-point gap currently separating the reigning Premier League champions and current top-flight leaders Arsenal.