Manchester City midfielder Jack Grealish is confident of his place in manager Pep Guardiola's plans.

Grealish started and scored in victory at Crystal Palace.

"Playing for this manager, the only person who has been able to go and do what they want in a Pep team is [Lionel] Messi, which is fair enough," said Grealish to the Manchester Evening News. "You can't knock what the manager has done, he's an incredible manager, a great guy with a really good heart as well.

"At times this season I have struggled a little bit with myself and he's been there for me all the time. I owe him a lot. He's a great person and the best manager to ever exist.

"It's been a difficult season for me personally after the highs of last year. I spoke to the manager a lot and he's been so good with me. I owe him a little bit and want to repay him now with my performances and the team as well.

"I speak to my friends in the [dressing room] everyday, I know how important I am to the team. I speak to the manager, and at the back end of last season you've seen how much the manager played me.

"I do seem to play in the big games. I saw [Karim] Benzema say it last season in an interview - everyone is so focused on goals and assists. I want to score, because in football there is no better feeling than scoring goals, but it is a team game and I am so happy to keep playing for this team."