It’s time to revisit Jack Grealish in midfield against Ipswich Town | OneFootball

Manchester City take on Ipswich Town on Sunday in Premier League action at Portman Road. Pep Guardiola’s side will enter the match off the back of a 5 game-unbeaten run. Although they did draw their last match 2-all against Brentford. During the final stages of City’s 2-all draw at the GTech Community Stadium, Manchester City’s midfield did appear to lack legs in midfield during the game’s closing stages. Based on what occurred against Brentford, it may be time for Pep Guardiola to play Jack Grealish in midfield at Portman Road.

Ever since Rodri went down with a season-ending injury, Pep Guardiola has mainly relied upon Ilkay Gundogan, Mateo Kovacic, Kevin De and Bernardo Silva in midfield. Phil Foden also drifts into central positions on occasion. Against Brentford Pep Guardiola lined up with Mateo Kovacic, Bernardo Silva and Kevin De Bruyne in midfield. Foden also drifted centrally throughout that game. But as we’ve seen so often this season Manchester City’s midfield lacked legs and energy and were caught out time and time again. That was especially prevalent in the game’s closing stages. That’s where Jack Grealish may offer something different against Ipswich Town on Sunday.

We have seen Grealish play in midfield on occasions this season. Notably, he had a superb game in Manchester City’s 3-nil win over Nottingham Forest at the Etihad in early December. The England international added a different dimension to City’s midfield play on that night. His ability to play in the pockets in midfield stood out against Forest. The ability of Grealish to get back defensively was also a welcome addition to City’s midfield at the time. Those attributes could and should be called upon against Ipswich Town on Sunday. It could prove to be exactly what City’s midfield needs against Ipswich Town.

Jack Grealish should start in midfield against Ipswich Town. It also may be the challenge he needs to get back to his best and show that he can be a part of Manchester City’s rebuild. But more importantly he can add something that City’s midfield lacked against Brentford. Grealish starting in midfield could add the energy and workrate City’s engine room requires. The idea does have merit if it is one Pep Guardiola decides to utilise on Sunday.