Will Jack Grealish enjoy Everton renaissance and get England recall?

Following Wayne Rooney 

In their first game of the new Premier League season, Everton were bad, really bad. The cameras regularly panned to an irate David Moyes on the touchline with his head in his hands. Many have tipped Everton to enjoy a successful season but even the most optimistic Toffees fan would have struggled to find any positives from their display at Elland Road. On their return to the English top-flight, Leeds United impressed and they should have been ahead at the interval. They squandered several chances and Moyes’ half-time team talk had little effect with Everton equally as insipid after the break, registering just one shot on target all game.

And Leeds were finally rewarded for their dominance when Lucas Nmecha converted from the penalty spot, after a hugely controversial award, to secure all three points and leave a raucous home support delighted. Earlier this summer, Moyes insisted he’d need ten new signings this summer and on the evidence of their showing against Leeds, the veteran Scottish manager wasn’t wrong. The slimmest of silver linings for Everton fans could only be Jack Grealish making his debut on 70 minutes. But can the former England international be the catalyst for a positive season?

Can Jack Grealish inspire Everton to a successful season?

Everton’s acquisition of Grealish represents a major coup given his pedigree and unquestionable ability. Gary Neville stated on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football that the 29-year-old is a ‘million miles’ better in terms of quality than his new teammates and Everton’s terrible display added weight to that claim. Grealish’s motivations behind joining the Merseyside outfit are to revive his career after a troubling 18 months at Manchester City to earn an England recall.

The winger became the first English to be sold for £100m (€117.m) when Man City bought him from his boyhood club Aston Villa in 2021. Grealish’s refreshing ability to run with the ball, beat defenders and inject excitement into games made him one of the most thrilling players in England. While he won countless trophies at Man City, including the Premier League and Champions League, Pep Guardiola's structured approach was at odds with the freedom that Grealish needs to thrive.

Critics will point to the exorbitant transfer fee that City paid for Grealish and his attacking numbers weren’t impressive with 40 goals and assists across 157 games. In a recent Transfermarkt study, Grealish’s cost per goal contribution of €2.9m was the 8th highest of any player in history. The Englishman was often stifled by Guardiola’s tactics and the writing was on the wall for his Man City career last season as he played just 715 minutes in the Premier League. There’s a narrative that Grealish flopped at Man City after being an incredible success at Aston Villa. And while he was indisputably better as the main man in the Midlands, there’s not a huge disparity between his attacking numbers at both clubs - as illustrated below.

Everton are desperately crying out for some creativity and Grealish will take huge responsibility in that regard in a workmanlike side. Moyes returned to Everton last season and successfully navigated them to safety to ensure Premier League football at their new stadium. “I think we’re getting him at a good time because he’s experienced,” Moyes said. “He understands the Premier League, and we’re all fully aware of the levels he’s capable of performing to.” Grealish demanded the number 18 shirt at Everton to follow in the footsteps of legends in Paul Gascoigne and Wayne Rooney. The enigmatic star had a couple of nice touches but his Everton teammates will need to step up to ensure it’s a memorable season at Bramley-Moore Docks.