Man City stars prove point to Guardiola amid £100m Grealish transfer pursuit

Manchester City stars Riyad Mahrez and Ilkay Gundogan have proved a point to Pep Guardiola amid the Premier League champions’ pursuit of Jack Grealish.

They reportedly submitted a £100million bid for the Aston Villa captain last week and are hopeful of completing the move for the England international.

If Grealish does arrive at the Etihad Stadium, it would appear to spell the end of Gundogan and Mahrez’s playing time under Guardiola.

Gundogan has frequently been deployed as a false nine under Guardiola, a position Grealish could take, with Mahrez’s role on the wing also under threat if the Villa star arrives.

But the duo proved they still have what it takes to star under Guardiola in a routine 4-1 win over Blackpool in the champions’ final game of pre-season.

Both Mahrez and Gundogan started the match at City’s Academy Stadium with the former on the wing and the latter playing as a false nine.

And as if to remind Guardiola what they can do, the under-pressure pair stole the show against Neil Critchley’s side.

Young attacker Samuel Edozie opened the scoring for City with a close-range finish, before the Tangerines equalised thanks to Luke Garbutt’s penalty.

Would Jack Grealish be a success at Manchester City? Comment below.

But Mahrez put Guardiola’s side back in front three minutes into the second half when he controlled Fernandinho’s pass with his chest before slotting into the bottom corner.

The Algerian then provided the assist that saw Gundogan make the win safe for City by taking a quick free-kick.

And if more evidence of Gundogan’s importance to City was needed, the German provided it by claiming his brace from close range with 15 minutes remaining.

Though Guardiola is reportedly intent on bringing at least one of Grealish or Harry Kane to the Etihad, he may do well to heed the point that Mahrez and Gundogan made on Tuesday night.

The Spaniard did reveal his happiness with the experienced players who played against Blackpool.

“We played against a good side – they did very well in many things, especially in the build-up,” he told City’s club website.

“We had to do things to regain the ball as soon as we could. One more day, one more game with no more injuries.

“I'm very pleased for the young players and the more experienced players – for what they have done, I have no complaints. We saw many good things.”

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