Pep Guardiola reacts to Jack Grealish after revealing his struggles to adapt at Man City

Pep Guardiola has insisted Man City’s style of play is “so easy” in response to Jack Grealish’s claim that he is struggling to adjust to life at the Etihad.

Grealish, who signed £100m from Aston Villa in 2021, has struggled to reach the same heights as at his previous club despite playing for the reigning league champions.

The England international recently admitted he was finding it “difficult” to adjust to life in the city, to which Guardiola has fired back, claiming it is “completely different” to life at Aston Villa.

Jack Grealish recently admitted he was “difficult” adjusting to life in Manchester City

City boss Pep Guardiola said in his press conference that his team played “simple” football

Speaking at his press conference ahead of City’s Carabao Cup quarter-finals v Southampton, Guardiola said: “It’s not difficult for me, the way we want to play is so simple: everyone runs without the ball to help each other and to be in positions to get the ball in better conditions.

“I would say I understand Jack because Aston Villa said ‘do what you want’. It’s completely different here, you stay in position and the ball goes where you want.

“We’ve spoken to Jack a couple of times about positions and football tactics and he completely understands it, he’s comfortable with it but it’s not difficult.”

The 27-year-old winger has made 11 appearances in the Premier League this season, recording just one goal and three assists.

Grealish was open about his struggles at City after their game against Chelsea

The former Aston Villa winger has scored just one Premier League goal this season

Grealish has been candid about his experience at Etihad after beating Chelsea 1-0 in the league last week.

When asked what life at the club was like, he told Sky Sports: “I’ve said it before but it’s so much different than what I was used to at Aston Villa. When he was playing for Dean Smith he said to me, ‘Go find out where you think the weak link in the defense is. If you want to go to the right, to the middle if you want to hug the sidelines.

“When I came to City, I’ve been at Villa my whole life and I’ve never had to change. I didn’t realize how difficult it is to adapt to a different team and manager. When I got here, it was so much harder than I thought.

“In my head I was like, ‘If I go to the team that sits at the top of the league, I’m going to score that many goals this season. And obviously it’s not the case.

Grealish earned his record move to Man City after impressing at Aston Villa

In his press conference, Guardiola went on to discuss ex-Leeds star Kalvin Phillips, who has also struggled to adapt since signing for Man City in the summer.

“Obviously I think (it) takes a bit of time on some aspects but he’s ready and we’re happy about that.”

“He was brought up at Leeds by Marcelo Bielsa, by Jesse Marsch (also) but above all by Marcelo, the fact that he puts in every training session and every game. So I have no doubts about that – but of course there are patterns and movements, things that take time and games and games.

Guardiola ended his press conference by repeating that Kalvin Phillips was “ready” to perform

“He arrived this season and unfortunately he was injured which meant he couldn’t be there but that’s why he’s going to get it step by step.”

Guardiola ended the press conference by reflecting on the recent retirement of Welsh legend Gareth Bale.

‘What a player. Fantastic career, won many things. I think he represents Wales with more than 100 caps and now he can become a fantastic golfer,” he joked.

The Welshman confirmed his retirement from club and international football in an emotional statement on Monday afternoon.