Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has told Jack Grealish that he has to fight for his place, with the admission that he is not fully showing what he can do this season.

Grealish has struggled for regular game time so far this campaign and is yet to score in 19 appearances in all competitions. It has led to talk that he could be on the move in January in search of more regular game time, with Newcastle United one of the teams reported to be showing an interest.

The 29-year-old played just the final six minutes of City’s 4-1 win over West Ham at the weekend. He was an unused substitute in the previous game against Leicester City, with summer signing Savinho preferred in the starting lineup.

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Speaking about his decision to opt with Savinho over Grealish in his starting XI, Guardiola sent a clear message to Grealish over his performances in both training and matches. “I fought a lot for him, fought a lot to be here – to say ‘come on, do it again, do it again,'" he said.

“I saw him, I saw your level and I want that, every single training session and every single game. If not, Savinho. Does anyone think Savinho doesn’t deserve to play? No. He deserves [it]. That’s why I play him because he produces.

“As much as he looks at himself, he will see the competition and he has to compete, himself. Savinho is in better shape and everything than Jack and that’s why I played Savinho. I want the Jack that won the treble? Yeah. I want it. But I try to be honest with myself for that.

“What happened with Savinho’s delivery in the box? It’s higher than the other wingers in that position. And they have to fight. You have to prove ‘OK, I’m going to fight with Savinho, to deserve to play in that position’. And every single day, and every single week and every single month.

“Two weeks ago, Jack was injured and he needs rhythm and to play but players need training. I don’t have any doubt about the quality of Jack or any of these players. But they have to, right now, today at 3pm, be at your best. It’s not about what they have done or will do, it’s about 3pm. The one hour 30 minutes, or one hour, 45 minutes, we’re going to play, the responsibility belongs to the players, not to me.”

Grealish has been with City since completing a £100 million move from Aston Villa in the summer of 2021. He was praised for his performances in the 2022/23 season as he helped the club to the treble, but has struggled for form since.

It is unlikely that Newcastle will approach Grealish this January, at the very least, due to their careful stance on finances within spending regulations.