Pep Guardiola Defends Jack Grealish, Says He Judges Players on Performance

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has stated that he evaluates his players based solely on their performances on the pitch, rather than their activities in their personal time. His comments come in response to recent images and reports about Jack Grealish’s night out in Newcastle, which sparked discussion about the player’s off-field behavior.

Photos circulated on social media earlier this week showing Grealish at a social club with friends. Further reports from Mail Online detailed that he was later seen at another venue on the same evening. The outings reportedly took place last Sunday, a day after Manchester City’s FA Cup fifth-round victory over Plymouth Argyle, in which Grealish played the entire match.

According to Mail Online, Grealish engaged with locals, posed for photos, and even paid for drinks at the social club. The incident follows another recent situation in which Grealish, a £100 million signing, was filmed leaving a London nightclub last month. Since December 4, he has started only one Premier League match, leading to increased scrutiny over his form and fitness.

When asked about the latest images of Grealish, Guardiola was firm in his stance. “A day off is a day off. They have private lives to do whatever they want. I’m not going to control what they do in their private life,” he said. Guardiola emphasized that his judgment of players is based on their performances during training and matches, rather than their activities away from the club.

Grealish, 28, has struggled with injuries and form this season, limiting his impact on the team. Despite this, Guardiola has remained supportive of the England international, making it clear that personal time should not be a concern as long as it does not affect professional responsibilities.

Manchester City continues to compete on multiple fronts this season, with their focus set on