Major Ilkay Gundogan development and Jack Grealish fitness update – Every Word from part two of Pep Guardiola’s pre-Plymouth Argyle press conference | OneFootball

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Ilkay Gundogan is closing in on an extended stay at the Etihad Stadium via an automatic contract extension.

The former Germany international is enduring a mixed campaign in terms of performances and form having returned to the club just one year on from leaving for FC Barcelona on a free transfer post-Treble success.

There has been some talk in recent weeks of an exit for the midfielder during the upcoming summer transfer window as Manchester City look to put together a rebuild in the centre of the park among other positions.

However, Pep Guardiola has seemingly confirmed the belief in various quarters that the 34-year-old has a trigger in his contractual agreement for an automatic further 12 months in the event of playing a certain number of matches for the club this season.

The future of City’s legendary former captain was among a number of issues addressed by Pep Guardiola during the second-half of his pre-match press conference this week, in addition to the performances of Jack Grealish, James McAtee’s season, and John Stones delight.

Following the release of part two of Pep Guardiola’s pre-Plymouth Argyle press conference from Friday afternoon, here is every single word from the Manchester City manager on numerous talking points!

On whether the FA Cup is a chance for Jack Grealish to be a match winner for Manchester City

“Listen, Jack played at (Leyton) Orient and played really good, and after he played against (Real) Madrid – Madrid is not a friendly game, right? After 20 minutes, he was out for an injury. It’s happened this season.

“And after when you see Jeremy (Doku) now or Savio in that position, it’s obvious that they have to play. But the reason why he didn’t play much, he was not able, because he’s had niggles or problems.

“Like tomorrow, I don’t know if he’ll be ready to play in a game like you HAVE to be there. This is the question, no question marks about his quality. Please, never, ever, ever doubt the quality that Jack has.

“For problems, he cannot play three games in a row; playing a game against Nottingham (Forest) good, and after maybe he didn’t play and in the training session was injured again. So not big issues, but cannot make a big effort, sustaining again, and again, and again. This is the only question mark, no other one.”

On whether Jack Grealish is 100 per cent fit

“We’ll see today. I don’t know, yet.”

On whether Plymouth Argyle is a chance for James McAtee

“Everyone has a chance to play, yes. I liked McAtee the way he celebrated the second goal that was disallowed from Erling Haaland, in the last minutes, the way he celebrated the goal. I like to see these types of players. I like it, I’m sorry, I’m an amateur with that.

“I saw a game against, I think, maybe (Leyton) Orient, the second goal from Kevin (De Bruyne) that John Stones celebrated. He was my first signing with (Ilkay) Gundogan eight, nine years ago, playing in Orient after playing in World Cups, in European Cups, winning everything, the way that John celebrated – I like that.

“Still when I see these kind of reactions and behaviours, I see something inside that still you like to play football in this club. When you are accepting that it doesn’t matter if you win or lose, that is not good a sign.

“And that is why with Macca I like it when I saw it, coming from the bench maybe for 10, 15 minutes, suffering to finish the game and win at Spurs, and Erling scored a goal and after it was disallowed, the way he celebrated, I like it!”

On James McAtee having a tough season waiting for these opportunities

“It was a tough season for everyone, look at the results. McAtee? For everyone! It was difficult, not just McAtee, for everyone.”

On his record as a player and manager being phenomenal

“Sure?”

On how he would rate Manchester City’s season if they finished in a Champions League qualification place and won the FA Cup

“The qualification for the Champions League will be really, really good for the club. It will not be in the records; when you see the numbers, always it depends on how many silverwares you lift, and it will not be.

“But for the club, for the future, for the new players, for the old players, for me, for the club, for everyone, of course, being in the Champions League is massively important. But if you talk about that, we talk about (Nottingham) Forests, the same, Newcastle and all the peoples are there, Aston Villas, and Brightons, and Bournemouth. It’s really, really important.”

On if Manchester City were to win the FA Cup

“It’s far away. Ask me this question if we are in the final. It’s far, far away.”

On whether Ilkay Gundogan is close to triggering a contract extension

“Yeah, I think so. I think so.”

On how he reflects on bringing Ilkay Gundogan back to Manchester City

“Listen, I cannot figure out my period, my tenure here, my time here without players like Gundo, like Bernie (Bernardo Silva), like Kevin (De Bruyne), like all these guys. I’m more, more, more than grateful like you cannot imagine.

“Like James (Jamie Jackson) said, the success that we had as managers is not interpreted, it’s not visualised, it’s not seen without these players. It’s impossible. It’s impossible to argue or have even any subject.

“When they are maybe upset or sad because they don’t play, I can understand them. It’s impossible; the legacy that we’re going to leave behind for the next ones, players, managers, sporting directors, CEOs, and I think the last decade, two decades, it happened for that type of players. And there are a lot. Not just these three or four.

“There are a lot, a lot. Like John (Stones), like players that are not here anymore. And that’s why, it’s impossible. But the reality is today, try to win today and tomorrow and the next games. And this is today; I take a decision. It’s never, ever against anything about them. Nope.”

Good afternoon Pep. I want to tell you that Carlos is a journalist who suffers from multiple disabilities resulting from an accident. He lost part of his memory, he spent several months in a coma. And well, that is a very important moment for him. And we want to thank you and to the entire City for letting him participate.

On the energetic state-of-play and psychological state of the team right now

“The team is better after a difficult year. But it’s better. In sport when you are going to play a match coming from one that you have won, it is always much more simple. But we are used to good and bad times, to recover quickly. But we are well. And a pleasure to see you Carlos for so, so long. What did we see in Barcelona and we shared good times. All the best, all the best.”