Pep Guardiola has dismissed the latest controversy surrounding Jack Grealish’s lifestyle while acknowledging his disappointment over the England international’s challenging season. However, the Manchester City manager remains uncertain about Grealish’s future beyond this campaign.

Grealish, 29, was recently spotted at a social club in the North East just a day after City’s FA Cup victory over Plymouth Argyle. The sighting reignited discussions about his off-field activities. But when asked about the incident, Guardiola refused to be drawn into the debate.

“He’s a public figure, people follow him. I have nothing to say,” Guardiola stated. “A day off is a day off. There’s no training. The players know what’s expected of them, but their private lives are theirs. I evaluate them based on training and their performances on the pitch.”

Despite defending Grealish’s personal choices, Guardiola has been selective in his use of the winger, handing him only six Premier League starts this season. He explained: “I want Jack performing at his highest level, but injuries have held him back. He hasn’t been able to find the rhythm needed to be match-ready every three days.”

Grealish delivered an impressive performance against Plymouth, and Guardiola hopes for greater consistency moving forward. However, when reminded that Grealish’s best league performance of the 2024/25 season came in City’s 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest in December, Guardiola simply remarked, “That was a long time ago.”

As City prepares to face third-placed Forest, Grealish is unlikely to start, with Jeremy Doku preferred on the left wing. Meanwhile, England manager Thomas Tuchel will soon announce his first squad, and Grealish’s limited game time may put his spot at risk for the upcoming international qualifiers and next year’s World Cup.

Speculation is growing that Grealish’s frustration over a lack of minutes could lead him to consider an exit from the Etihad. Addressing the rumors, Guardiola said: “I understand the frustrations of my players. It’s natural to dream of playing in the World Cup or European Championships. What matters most right now is our fight for key trophies. Decisions on the future will be made at the end of the season.”

With Guardiola confirming that Grealish is fit and available for selection, the winger remains an option for the clash at the City Ground. However, Guardiola is expected to favor Doku in the starting lineup.

In other team news, City will be without Nathan Ake for up to three months following foot surgery, adding to their defensive concerns as the season progresses

Manchester City’s hopes of reaching the Champions League last 16 took a major hit after squandering a 2-1 lead at home in the first leg against Real Madrid, ultimately losing 3-2. Despite the setback, manager Pep Guardiola believes there’s still a slim chance of a comeback, and City’s recent additions could be the key to making it happen.

Guardiola admitted that City’s prospects of advancing are just “one percent,” but the English champions will cling to any hope they can find. The defeat in the first leg was part of a worrying trend this season, with City’s veteran squad struggling to maintain intensity in high-stakes European fixtures.

A Change in Transfer Strategy
Recognizing the need for reinforcements, City departed from their usual transfer approach by spending big in the January window. They brought in Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov, Vitor Reis, and Nico Gonzalez for a combined fee of £170 million ($214 million).

Despite these significant signings, Guardiola opted against using them extensively in the first leg. Marmoush came off the bench for a brief cameo, while Gonzalez and Khusanov remained unused substitutes. Reis wasn’t even registered for City’s Champions League squad.

However, Guardiola may now be rethinking those decisions after the trio played a starring role in City’s dominant 4-0 victory over Newcastle on Saturday—arguably their best performance of the season.

Fresh Faces Shine Against Newcastle
Marmoush stole the show with a first-half hat-trick, finally providing City with another clinical attacking option to support Erling Haaland. His sharp finishing and movement offered a glimpse of what he could bring to City’s attack in Madrid.

Meanwhile, Khusanov bounced back impressively from his nightmare Premier League debut against Chelsea last month, where he made a costly mistake and nearly got sent off. Against Newcastle, he displayed the speed and defensive awareness that convinced City to invest £33 million ($42 million) in his potential. His ability to neutralize Newcastle’s Alexander Isak suggests he could be crucial in dealing with Real Madrid’s rapid attackers, including Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, and Rodrygo.

Perhaps the most significant boost, however, came from Nico Gonzalez. The former Barcelona midfielder provided much-needed stability in the middle of the park, an area where City have struggled since losing Rodri to a serious knee injury in September.

Gonzalez: A “Mini Rodri”
Guardiola has already dubbed Gonzalez a “mini Rodri,” and his impact was evident against Newcastle. Former City defender Micah Richards echoed that sentiment, highlighting the balance he brings to the squad.

“The team looks far more composed with Gonzalez in midfield,” Richards said. “City have plenty of attacking firepower, but they need someone to anchor things in Madrid. Gonzalez gives them a real chance.”

Can City Overcome Their Champions League Struggles?
Even at their peak, Manchester City have often struggled to get the better of Real Madrid in the Champions League. This marks the fourth straight season that the two clubs have met in Europe’s elite competition. City’s only triumph came last year when they dismantled Madrid 5-1 on aggregate en route to their first-ever Champions League title.

However, their history with Madrid includes painful memories. In 2022, they were minutes away from reaching the final before Rodrygo’s dramatic stoppage-time double forced extra time, sending Madrid through instead. Last season, City dominated large portions of their quarter-final ties, but Madrid ultimately prevailed on penalties.

Guardiola’s Reality Check
Despite Saturday’s emphatic win, Guardiola remains realistic about his team’s struggles this season.

“Our performances have been far below our usual standards,” he admitted. “We’ve been miles off the pace. Just because we played well in one game doesn’t mean everything has changed overnight.”

Yet, while Guardiola acknowledges the odds are stacked against them, he insists City won’t go down without a fight.

“If you asked anyone before this game, they’d say we have just a one percent chance. But as long as there’s a chance, we’ll give everything we have.”

With their season on the line, City will be hoping their January reinforcements can provide the spark they need to pull off a miracle in Madrid.

Manchester City supporters may witness the club’s latest signings in action at Brisbane Road on Saturday, as Pep Guardiola looks to integrate Nico Gonzalez into the squad to strengthen the defensive midfield.

Guardiola’s Plans for Nico Gonzalez

Pep Guardiola is counting on new arrival Nico Gonzalez to fill the void left by Rodri in the Manchester City midfield. The 23-year-old, signed from Porto for £50 million on transfer deadline day, was the only midfield addition. While City did not want to acquire a mere backup for Rodri, Guardiola is preparing for the possibility that the Spaniard may not return this season.

Guardiola highlighted Gonzalez’s versatility, explaining that he can play in multiple positions but will primarily be deployed in the No.6 role. While the club aims to ease the pressure on Gonzalez, he will be tasked with stabilizing a midfield that has struggled to maintain control in recent matches.

“At the moment, yes,” Guardiola stated. “I didn’t bring him in to play further up the field, as we already have several options in attack. While he can operate in various roles, his primary duty will be to shield the defense.

“I believe he is ready, but we will assess him over the coming days in training. His initial impact has been positive, but I won’t put excessive pressure on him to resolve all our issues immediately. He is here to help us become more stable.”

Possible Debut in FA Cup Clash

Gonzalez could make his first start on Saturday against Leyton Orient in the FA Cup fourth round. The match serves as City’s final fixture before their crucial showdown with Real Madrid, and Guardiola is hopeful of having more players available by then.

In addition to Gonzalez, three other new signings are expected to be involved, alongside returning players Ruben Dias, Nathan Ake, Oscar Bobb, Jeremy Doku, and Ederson, all of whom are nearing full fitness. Guardiola hinted that fresh faces could be featured at the Gaughan Group Stadium, though one of Abdukodir Khusanov or Vitor Reis may have to settle for a bench role as the coach looks to avoid a major upset.

“We will see. I have an idea for the lineup,” Guardiola said. “I have one or two uncertainties, but that is normal. Playing two new players simultaneously might be risky against a team performing well lately.

“It would be great to have our injured players back, but if they’re not fully fit and we push them too soon, we risk further setbacks. We are consulting with the medical team to determine the safest approach. Some recoveries are straightforward, while others are more complex.”