Pep Guardiola sends game time reassurances to Man City star Jack Grealish

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Pep Guardiola has moved to reassure Jack Grealish that he still has a big part to play for Manchester City this season. City made Grealish their own, and Britain's, record transfer signing in the summer when they splashed out a massive £100million to recruit the Aston Villa captain.

Grealish has had a bright start to his life at City but hasn't made the seismic impact that may have been expected for such a large transfer fee.

Though there have been many good performances they haven't translated into great numbers, with just five goals and three assists to his name this season, and the 26-year-old has seen himself slip down the pecking order as of late.

In recent big matches against Atletico Madrid, Liverpool and Real Madrid Grealish has been named on the bench and didn't even come on as a substitute in the last two Champions League outings. ALSO READ: Pep Guardiola hints Man City star Kyle Walker could be out for the season Many have taken that as a sign that Grealish is struggling to adapt at such a big club — even though several other attacking signings have had similar slow starts at the Etihad in the recent past — but Guardiola has made it clear just how important he is to the side. "He can, nothing changes," the Blues boss replied when asked if he still has a part to play this season. "Just because in that position, Riyad [Mahrez], has important games gives us something unique, [Phil] Foden is so determined. "Just that reason, Raheem — everyone knows how important he is, but I decide not because they are bad.