Jack Grealish made just seven Premier League appearances for Manchester City in the final five months of the 2024/25 campaign. Under Pep Guardiola, January was a key milestone to decide first-choice players, and Grealish was clearly not in the plans. He missed the Club World Cup and remained in the UK to finalise a transfer, completing a loan move to Everton on August 12.
Immediate Impact at Everton
"There was a massive buzz around it," Everton writer at the Liverpool Echo Joe Thomas tells MEN Sport. "He's a massive name, huge reputation. Someone that had performed at the highest level." Grealish provided two assists in his first competitive game at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, helping Everton beat Brighton 2-0, followed by another brace of assists at Wolves.
His form quickly made him a fan favourite. He scored his first goal for the club against Crystal Palace in October, a stoppage-time winner that sealed the affection of his new supporters. "He was a big part in what felt like a new look Everton side that was more comfortable playing attacking, free-flowing football," Thomas explained.
Key Goals and Relationship with Moyes
Grealish scored two goals for Everton, both dramatic late winners. The first was a stoppage-time winner at home to Crystal Palace, a big moment for the new stadium. The second was a 1-0 win at Bournemouth, a venue that had been a "graveyard" for Everton managers. He ended his spell with two goals and six assists, but Thomas called those statistics a "red herring."
"His style was much bigger than that," he said. "There was a footballing IQ there which we just hadn't really seen at Everton for a long time." Thomas credits David Moyes with allowing Grealish freedom: "It felt like Grealish bought heavily into Everton. I think his relationship and the support that he got from the manager was a massive part of that."
Injury and Potential Return to City
After Grealish picked up a season-ending injury in January, Everton missed his presence, especially in the last seven games where they dropped from European contention to mid-table. Thomas believes Grealish could have helped: "You just felt that if they had someone like Jack Grealish on the pitch…" Enzo Maresca offered an olive branch in his first press conference, and City will announce their pre-season tour squad on Tuesday. Thomas is confident Grealish can still do a job: "I think when you’re as talented as Jack, I think he has the ability to play at any level."
