Manchester City’s new 100 million pounds ($138.7 million) signing Jack Grealish sparkled briefly on his debut but faded along with his teammates as the Premier League champions began the new season with a 1-0 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
Midfielder Grealish, a British-record signing, made a lively start and almost earned a penalty with one jinking run ended on the edge of the area by Tottenham youngster Oliver Skipp.
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But it turned into a frustrating afternoon for the former Aston Villa playmaker and he marked his debut not with a goal or an assist but a yellow card.
Grealish was not the only City player to struggle as few of Pep Guardiola’s side were in top gear against a Tottenham team who grew into the game and deserved the win sealed by Son Heung-min’s 55th-minute counter-attack goal.
Even with an array of attacking threats on the pitch and 340 million pounds worth of talent sat on the bench, City were listless and lacking a cutting edge.
If anything the display will make the signing of Tottenham’s absent striker Harry Kane even more pressing for the City hierarchy — whatever the cost now that Sergio Aguero is no longer an option for Guardiola.
Guardiola would not get drawn into the Kane debate, but praised new boy Grealish.
“He was excellent. He played with a personality and created chances. Unfortunately we could not win for him for his debut but he played really well,” the Spaniard said.
“In terms of give me the ball he doesn’t lose the ball, he is so dangerous close to the box.”
City became only the third champions in the Premier League era to lose their first game of the new campaign and some of their players looked off the pace while Kevin De Bruyne was left on the bench until late on.
“Kevin De Bruyne has not done one full training session, he needs to train. He will need time to play 90 minutes,” Guardiola said. “We are the same people that won the Premier League and we make very good things and it’s normal.”
City have now lost all four games they have played at Tottenham’s new stadium without scoring, including three in the Premier League.
“Spurs are a tough rival for us, always I have the feeling that we are good here but we cannot get results because they punish you in transitions,” Guardiola said.
“Most of the players have 90 minutes in the legs, we have a long week to prepare to face Norwich and hopefully the players can come back step by step.
“I see very very good things. I know the result is not good but I saw many many good things that will help us in the future to get better.”