Rodri lauds Manchester City teammate Jack Grealish after Leeds redemption

Manchester City midfielder Rodri heaped praise on Jack Grealish for silencing his critics in a convincing second half display against Leeds on Wednesday evening.

Grealish has been heavily criticised for failing to live up to his British-record £100 million transfer fee that saw him swap Aston Villa for Manchester City in 2021.

Despite an impressive start to life at the Etihad Stadium, the England international remained in and out of Pep Guardiola’s starting XI last term, registering 10 goal contributions in 39 appearances across all competitions.

City boss Pep Guardiola has consistently backed Grealish whilst many continue to attack the former Aston Villa skipper for his lack of goals and assists in a sky blue shirt.

The 27-year-old provided a mixed first half showing at Elland Road on Wednesday, missing some guilt-edged chances before Rodri stepped up for the Premier League champions and gave the visitors a well-deserved lead on the cusp of half-time.

Grealish made amends for his first-half display by twice setting up fellow Yorkshireman Erling Haaland in quick succession before Leeds pulled one back through Pascal Struijk with less than 20 minutes left on the clock.

Speaking to Prime Video Sport after the win, Rodri leapt to Grealish’s defence and hailed his City teammate for grabbing his first couple of assists this season.

“I think we demand a lot (from Grealish), the quality of player he is, we demand goals and assists, that’s why we push him until the end,” the Spaniard said, as quoted by Manchester Evening News.

“Today (against Leeds), he was great. He missed a few chances he knows he has to score, but he helped the team with two assists.”

With Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva starting the win over Leeds on the bench, it remains to be seen if Guardiola rewards Grealish for his second half redemption by starting him against Everton on Sunday.

The Manchester City manager is likely to shuffle his pack ahead of a trip to Stamford Bridge in the coming week as the Blues keep the pressure on league leaders Arsenal.