Nigel de Jong believes Jack Grealish's slow Manchester City start has been down to the difficulty in integrating into Pep Guardiola's system.
Grealish has just returned to fitness for City suffering a knock on international duty with England, coming off the bench on his return to Villa Park in the 2-1 win against his former club.
Grealish has just two goals in all competitions since his £100m move from the midlands in the summer, and recently gave a tell-all interview about his transfer from Villa to City, admitting he's found it difficult to adjust at times.
And De Jong believes that structure of the two Premier League sides will be having an impact and causing the slight teething issues for the England international.
"It does [take time] I think it's great to hear honesty because honesty is key especially if you want to develop yourself.," he told Amazon Prime Sport.
"We all know it's hard to integrate in Pep Guardiola's system when you come from a club like Villa to a club like City because the expectation is so high.
"I think the main thing a lot of the time, he comes in a two-v-one position but that's because the game starts for him in the final third because the majority of the possession is already with City.
"At Villa he could take the ball from his own half and create going forward so he could get space and create actions. Now, he has to create the action when he gets the ball in the final third, he's got to find himself in situations where he can come at the defender at pace. He's got to elevate his level."
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