Jack Grealish has "unfinished business" with Everton, according to former Blues defender Richard Dunne, as Hill Dickinson Stadium chiefs explore ways to bring the Manchester City loan star back next season.
Grealish's Impactful Loan Spell
Following a season-long loan move to Everton, announced on August 12 last year, Grealish won the Premier League Player of the Month award for the first time in his career during the week of his 30th birthday, after providing four assists in his first two starts. He then scored Hill Dickinson Stadium's first stoppage-time winner in a 2-1 comeback victory over Crystal Palace and secured Everton's first Premier League win over Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.
After helping the Blues to arguably their best result of the season—a 1-0 triumph on January 18 at Aston Villa, who had won their previous 11 home games and would go on to lift the Europa League—it was revealed that Grealish had suffered a major injury setback. He subsequently underwent surgery for a stress fracture in his left foot.
Fan Affection and Recovery
Despite the injury, Grealish's connection with Everton fans endured. Video footage at the club's end-of-season awards event showed him leading the singing of: "One more year Jackie Grealish, playing football the Everton way." As he steps up his recovery, the Brummie ace last week shared footage of himself on an exercise bike alongside Manchester City teammate Kalvin Phillips.
Incoming Etihad Stadium boss Enzo Maresca has been tipped to offer Grealish a lifeline after he was deemed surplus to requirements under predecessor Pep Guardiola, but he is still expected to be available if Everton want to do a deal.
Dunne's Verdict
Richard Dunne, who made his Everton debut as a 17-year-old before making 431 Premier League appearances and moving to Manchester City in 2000, told the ECHO: "He's a ball carrier, he can get you up the pitch and wins free-kicks. If they can get him back and the deal is correct for Everton then I think he's a really good signing."
"Jack might not be at the same level as he was a few years ago, but he was the first £100 million player from England and he still has that talent. I think he showed that for Everton last season and we'd like to see it again next season."
"I think if you're in a team that isn't massively possession-based and you're sitting back, trying to counter-attack against teams, Jack is great. If you're under the cosh, you can give the ball to him and know that you're going to get out because he'll either carry it 60 yards up the pitch or win a free-kick and that's invaluable."
"There are very few like him in the Premier League. I think a lot of teams try and progress by passing the ball through the pitch but he's a player who can do all that work on his own with his dribbling."
Unfinished Business
Speaking courtesy of Harry Kane World Cup 2026 goals, Dunne added: "It felt like it was unfinished business with Jack Grealish and Everton last season. He was doing so well and then getting the injury that ruled him out for the second half of the campaign was difficult."
"He's taken a real liking to Everton and the Everton fans have taken a real liking to him. I think he's one of those players in the Premier League who can make a difference."
As reported by the ECHO's Everton correspondent Joe Thomas on Saturday, Manchester City are keen to pursue a sale for Grealish while Everton are expected to explore another loan move—though any development will also depend on the strength of his recovery from the stress fracture that ended his season prematurely.
