Pep Guardiola could not hold back his laughter after a journalist asked him a question about Jack Grealish and beer.
Manchester City take on relegation-threatened Luton on Saturday, hoping to continue their challenge for a fourth successive Premier League title.
And ahead of the game, Guardiola’s pre-match press conference took a peculiar turn as the Spaniard spoke of a past hangover.
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A journalist took that opportunity to cheekily ask: “On the subject of beers… well, not the subject of beers but a connection… how pleased are you with Jack Grealish’s form at the moment?”
The question sparked laughter from the pool of journalists, while Guardiola could not help but crack a smile.
Grealish is among the most effervescent characters in the City dressing room, with pictures of his boozy celebrations circulating on social media in the wake of Manchester City’s treble win last season.
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When discussing the England international’s form, Guardiola declared: “We are really pleased [with him].
“We miss him. He has to continue until the end. In that level is the Jack we know him and his personality.
“The same [as everyone], he has to improve in some departments, finishing for example, but this is the Jack we know of last season that helped us again to do it [win the Big Five].
“This season unfortunately he could not be there. I’m pretty sure he has learned the lesson and try to help us in the next half.
“Not [just] next year but the years he has ahead of him for his career [hopefully he] can perform in that level.”
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Despite having racked up 31 outings across all competitions this season, the 28-year-old has been hampered by injury issues that have limited him to just 17 Premier League showings.
After missing five league games across February and March, Grealish returned to play 90 minutes in league wins against Aston Villa and Crystal Palace, while he delivered a Man of the Match display against Real Madrid in the Champions League.
Topics: Manchester City, Pep Guardiola, Jack Grealish, Premier League, Luton Town, Football