Jack Grealish has stepped up his return from a serious foot injury, and now attention turns to whether he will remain an Everton player next season. The 30-year-old loanee from Manchester City shared his excitement on social media after training for the first time in five months.
Grealish's Injury and Recovery
Grealish has been sidelined since January 18 after helping Everton to a 1-0 win at his former club Aston Villa. He underwent surgery for a stress fracture in his left foot, ending his season and hopes of a World Cup spot. During his recovery, he remained at Everton's training ground, even after teammates went on holiday.
This week, he posted on social media: "Ahhh man can’t even explain how good this felt! 5 months ago since I last put my boots on.. Back on the grass today! Best feeling ever man. Time to get ready!" The images showed him in full Everton kit, fueling speculation about his future.
Everton's Dilemma
Everton missed Grealish's quality in the final seven winless games of the season. The club is expected to negotiate with Manchester City for another loan deal. However, they will not trigger the £50 million permanent option, as Grealish has only one year left on his lucrative City contract.
While a new City manager, Enzo Maresca, may want to assess Grealish in pre-season, the player's bond with Everton and the fans' morale boost make a return attractive. If finances allow, this is a deal Everton need to pursue.
