Grealish Under Guardiola To Develop Goalscorer’s Instinct

(AFP) – Manchester (United Kingdom) – Pep Guardiola feels Jack Grealish has the ability to emulate Raheem Sterling's goalscoring exploits at Manchester City if he focuses on having the same instinct to get into the box.

Grealish scored his first goal for the English champions since joining from Aston Villa for a Premier League record £100 million on Saturday in a 5-0 demolition of Norwich.

Sterling also scored his first goal of the season off the bench, and Guardiola believes Grealish can learn from his club and international counterpart, whose game has improved significantly under the Catalan coach.

“If he develops the mindset of Raheem, he can score more goals,” Guardiola stated.

“When Raheem first arrived here, he had no goals in mind, and we immediately transformed his arrival.

“Today, he scored because he is a machine in the centre. He changed his mind and resolved to score.

“Jack have the attitude necessary to score goals and win games, but if he had the Raheem mentality, he can do so as well.”

Aymeric Laporte and Riyad Mahrez both scored as City overcame the absence of a known centre-forward.

Grealish's record as the most expensive English player in history may only survive a few weeks if Tottenham do not accept City's bids for Harry Kane by the end of the month.

Gabriel Jesus, on the other hand, seized his opportunity to shine with a man-of-the-match performance in an unusual spot on the right side of City's attack.

Guardiola lavished praise on the Brazilian for setting up three goals.

“One of the reasons I became a manager was to work with individuals and humanity like Gabriel,” the City chief continued.

“He never complains; he plays five minutes, and he plays them to the best of his ability.

“He is equally at ease on the left, right, or centre, and his connection with Kyle (Walker) today was remarkable.

“He assisted on three of our goals and is a vital member of our team. Today, he delivered an outstanding performance.”