Grealish Has Been Barren Since Moving To City, Guardiola: He Doesn't Have To Score

Jack Grealish (Twitter @jackgrealish)

JAKARTA - Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has backed Jack Grealish to end his goal drought as the player struggles to prove his worth as a player for a record 100 million pound ($132 million) transfer.

Grealish has scored just two goals for City since his move from Aston Villa in a record-highest transfer fee for the Premier League.

The 26-year-old last scored in September when City beat Leipzig in the Champions League, while his only Premier League goal was against Norwich last August.

Grealish was unable to replicate his impressive form at Villa in a City shirt and he missed a golden opportunity to score in the reigning champions' win over Wolves on Saturday.

But Guardiola has no doubt that the England midfielder can overcome his 13-match barrenness in succession and will eventually start brilliantly again.

"He has to do exactly what he does, nothing more. The rest will come," said Guardiola.

"He has chances to score two or three goals every game and one day he will. He could have scored a hat-trick against Watford and in the last game one or two goals again.

According to Guardiola, there has never been a defender with an open performance in a season from start to finish. There are ups and downs.

"And he doesn't have to score goals. What he has to do is play like he knows what to do, feel that his contribution helps win games and the rest (goals) will come."

City, now leading the Premier League table, host Leeds on Tuesday and Guardiola admits his side will have to work hard if they are to survive Marcelo Bielsa's high-tempo tactics.

Leeds took four points off City last season and Guardiola expects another tough night to come.

"Leeds are one of our toughest opponents. They play in a unique way and we play against this unique way only twice a year," he said.

"We have to adjust a few things because it's different to the other opponents. We're not very used to this type of game.