‘Grealish for England’? Everton’s Loan Star Gives Tuchel a Challenge

A Dramatic Weekend for Everton

Referee Michael Salisbury had just finished officiating a thrilling match that saw Everton secure a last-minute victory over Crystal Palace when the club updated their social media bio to include the phrase: “Grealish for England.”

It has nearly been a year since Jack Grealish donned the England kit, having last played in a Nations League win over Finland. However, the 30-year-old found himself omitted from Thomas Tuchel’s latest squad for an upcoming friendly against Wales and a World Cup qualifying match in Latvia.

Despite his exclusion from the national setup, Grealish is determined to make a return before next summer’s World Cup. He has started strong at Everton, with four assists in six Premier League outings, capping off his performance with a dramatic last-minute winner in the recent match.

A Historic Finish

The winning goal came in the 93rd minute, marking Everton’s latest home victory in the Premier League since March 2022. After the match, Grealish expressed his relief in scoring, noting a mental commitment to scoring late in games. “I kept telling myself, ‘come on Jack, go and score,’ and today it finally happened,” he told Sky Sports.

Not Playing for England Isn’t the End

Grealish’s recent performance has reignited discussions about his place in the national team. After the match against Crystal Palace, the midfielder stated, “Not playing for England isn’t deep.” He respects the manager’s choices and recognizes the competition for places.

“It’s about focusing on Everton; this club has put their trust in me, and I’m thoroughly enjoying my time here,” Grealish remarked. However, former England striker Wayne Rooney believes that Grealish’s current form will give Tuchel some difficult decisions to make regarding the national team.

Rooney commented, “Jack just needs to keep performing; if he maintains his form, he’ll definitely be in contention come summer.”

‘Johnny-on-the-spot’

After another standout performance, Tuchel acknowledged that Grealish still has a path back to the England squad. “There will always be a way back for him,” he noted, adding that he sees Grealish’s influence at Everton and recognizes his growth.

Since joining on loan from Manchester City, Grealish has accumulated impressive statistics, with several goal contributions and numerous chances created. Meanwhile, Everton manager David Moyes praised Grealish’s knack for being in the right place at the right time, stating, “He’s proven to be Johnny-on-the-spot for us.”

Moyes also shared that Grealish had to occasionally miss training due to a minor injury but expressed confidence in his abilities and contributions moving forward.

Conclusion

As the countdown to the World Cup continues, the question remains: will Jack Grealish secure a spot on the flight to compete in international football’s biggest tournament? His recent form suggests he is certainly making a strong case for it.