Tonight could be the perfect night to test Jack Grealish in midfield

Manchester City face a crucial Champions League match against Juventus this evening. This is shaping up to be almost a must-win game for Pep Guardiola’s side if they want to finish in the top 8 of the league stage standings. Ahead of tonight’s game, Pep Guardiola urged his side to play to their strengths. To do so, this could be the ideal game to test Jack Grealish in a midfield role.

Grealish showed in City’s 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest last week that he can play that role. The England international produced an exceptional performance against Forest at the Etihad. He showed that the strengths of his game that were evident on the wing translated into a midfield role. But that’s no surprise given the strengths of Grealish’s game. Tonight’s game is a major fixture for the world champions and could be the perfect setting to test Grealish in City’s engine room.

Juventus is a quality team. Thiago Motta’s team has a solid midfield full of quality. You could almost go as far as to say that the team that wins the midfield battle will probably win tonight’s game. Manchester City will be desperate to gain control of the midfield. To do this, Jack Grealish could have an essential role to play.

Grealish adds an element of control to City’s game that was missing in his absence. Against Nottingham Forest and alongside Ilkay Gundogan and Kevin De Bruyne, this attribute stood out in his game. Having Grealish alongside De Bruyne and Gundogan brought out the best in both players. If he starts in midfield tonight, we hope he can add that element to Manchester City’s game. Pep Guardiola has requested his return. Jack Grealish could be the player to provide it against Juventus.

A tough test awaits a depleted Manchester City team this evening. But they are almost at a must-win point in their Champions League championship stage campaign. World champions need to return to what they know best to get back on track. If Jack Grealish starts in midfield tonight, he could be the player to help his team get back on track in midfield.