Jack Grealish’s Everton Transformation: Proving His Point After Manchester City Exit
Jack Grealish, the 30-year-old England international, has ignited a remarkable turnaround at Everton since joining on a season-long loan from Manchester City in August 2025, silencing doubters and proving his worth after a challenging spell at the Etihad. His electric start—capped by a dramatic 93rd-minute winning goal against Crystal Palace on October 5—has earned high praise, with Everton FA Cup hero Anders Limpar hailing him as an “unbelievable player” who’s transformed the Toffees’ attack. Grealish’s five goal involvements (one goal, four assists) in seven Premier League games, coupled with his swagger and leadership, have made him a beacon of hope at Everton’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium, while sending a clear message to Pep Guardiola and Manchester City that his talent remains elite.
The Palace Heroics: A Defining Moment
Grealish’s defining moment came in Everton’s 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace, where he scored the latest home Premier League winner for the club since March 2022 (92:21). After Iliman Ndiaye’s cross led to a Beto header saved by Dean Henderson, Grealish pounced on a deflected clearance, bundling the ball home to spark pandemonium. “I said to myself at the 85th minute, ‘Come on Jack, go and score,’” he told Sky Sports, revealing he ran to celebrate with his parents in the stands. “It wasn’t the prettiest, but it’s massive for us.” The goal, his first for Everton, earned him a 7/10 from the Liverpool Echo and “hero” status from the Daily Mail, cementing his role as the club’s talisman.[](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cpd9701jnylo)
From City’s Shadows to Everton’s Spotlight
At Manchester City, Grealish’s star faded after a 2022-23 treble, with only seven Premier League starts last season and exclusions from the Club World Cup and Fulham finale. His £100M move from Aston Villa in 2021—then a British record—yielded 17 goals in 157 games, but Pep Guardiola’s rigid system limited his flair, reducing him to a possession-based cog (3.1 carries per 90). Grealish admitted to Sky Sports he “didn’t help myself at times” off-field, citing poorly timed partying, but felt his role at City stifled his creativity.
Everton’s David Moyes has unleashed the “maverick spark” from Grealish’s Villa days, granting him freedom to “go and play” in a 4-2-3-1 or as a No. 10. His league-leading 9.1 carries per 90, 17 chances created, and seven fouls won per game showcase a return to the dribbling, defense-twisting winger who terrorized opponents. Against Brighton (August 24), Grealish’s cross set up Ndiaye’s opener, followed by a lay-off for James Garner’s rocket. At Wolves (August 30), he assisted Beto and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall with a header and a defense-splitting pass, securing a 3-2 win. His 91% pass accuracy, five dribbles, and 13/17 duels won against Wolves underline his all-around impact.
Limpar’s Praise: “He’s Everton’s Player of the Season”
Anders Limpar, a 1995 FA Cup winner, lauded Grealish’s ball-carrying as a “rest” for teammates, comparing him to a traditional winger who creates rather than scores prolifically. “He’s not a goalscorer, but he makes the team better with crosses and chances,” Limpar told Casino.org. “He’s been Everton’s player of the season so far.” Grealish’s August Player of the Month award and chants of “Super Jack” from 50,000+ fans at Hill Dickinson Stadium reflect his instant connection with the Toffees’ faithful, who flooded his social media with support pre-arrival.[](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/jack-grealish-transformed-everton-already-36047050)[](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/aug/12/jack-grealish-joins-everton-on-season-long-loan-from-manchester-city)
England Ambitions and the World Cup Push
Grealish’s resurgence is timely, with the 2026 World Cup looming. Omitted from England’s Euro 2024 squad and Thomas Tuchel’s recent selections, his five goal involvements—matching Erling Haaland and Antoine Semenyo—make a compelling case. Moyes, who sees parallels with Steven Pienaar, believes Grealish can reclaim his 39-cap England spot: “He’s giving Tuchel a headache.” Grealish’s No. 18 shirt, a nod to idols Wayne Rooney and Paul Gascoigne, reflects his ambition to emulate their impact. “I’m at my best when I feel loved,” he told Tim Sherwood, emphasizing Everton’s warm environment.
Making His Point to City
Grealish’s performances are a direct rebuttal to Guardiola’s doubts, expressed in January 2025: “I want the Jack that won the treble, but I try to be honest with myself.” His loan, costing Everton £11M in wages (75% of his £300,000 weekly salary) with a £50M buy option, has transformed a club craving attacking flair after a 13th-placed finish. Posts on X capture the sentiment: “Grealish proving City wrong—back to his Villa best!” His expected assists (xA) remain consistent, suggesting his City dip was tactical, not a decline in ability.[]
What’s Next: City Clash and Beyond
Grealish is ineligible to face Manchester City on October 18 due to loan rules, but his six consecutive Premier League starts—his longest run in over two years—set the stage for more heroics. Everton’s encouraging start under Moyes, bolstered by Ndiaye and Dewsbury-Hall, owes much to Grealish’s spark. As he told Sherwood, “Everton’s a massive club—people don’t get that.” With a potential permanent move in 2026, Grealish’s transformation isn’t just personal—it’s lifting Everton into a new era.[]
| Player | Games | Goals | Assists | Chances Created | Carries/90 |
|——–|——-|——-|———|—————–|————|
| Jack Grealish | 7 | 1 | 4 | 17 | 9.1 |
Grealish’s Everton revival is a statement to City and beyond: the maverick’s back, and he’s unstoppable.
