Everton are breaking new ground this season. So is Jack Grealish. There may have been some signs of luck in this week’s winner against Bournemouth, but there was no luck in the forward’s rediscovery of his best form.
Grealish perfectly captures the club’s current positive vibe with his playful charm. Under manager David Moyes, Everton have become a team to watch. It’s not entirely reliable, but it’s still driven by entertainers.
Last week they achieved their first win against Manchester United since 2013 despite playing with 10 men for the majority of the game, and Tuesday’s victory over Bournemouth was their eighth away win since Moyes took over as manager in late January. During this time, no team has won more away games.
Speaking to Sky Sports a few days later, Grealish described his Old Trafford scalp as a “proper Everton performance”, a surprising statement considering he had only known the club for four months.
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Let’s take a look at the best parts of Everton’s Jack Grealish in the Premier League.
But that’s the nature of Grealish’s character. Fans hold him in their hearts thanks to his unique ability to be loved for his performances that mix fun and flair. He can do things that others cannot. He has a class that others don’t have.
“I always connect with the fans of every club,” he said at the launch of Puma’s new FUTURE 9 football boots in Manchester. “I have an incredible connection with Everton fans.
I liked the previous boots, but this time it’s an upgrade. I love colored boots. I don’t like dull colors. That’s how I like to play. I’ve worn it a few times now and it’s brought me good luck, so I’m really happy.
Jack Grealish
“I talked a lot over the summer on FaceTime with the coach and it felt like a good fit. He’s helped me get back to my level. I’m having fun playing and training. It’s a perfect fit.”
Grealish himself isn’t chasing perfection, but it’s impossible when straddling the delicate balance of risk and reward. But his performance at Bournemouth was nostalgic in many ways – he picked up more fouls than any other player on the pitch and was tasked with pulling Everton forward. And it was the strength of his determination that won the match.
Jack Grealish spoke to Sky Sports as PUMA launched their new FUTURE 9 boots.
Grealish last scored from outside the box in the Premier League since November 2020, when he was playing for Aston Villa, and his latest effort was a byproduct of renewed confidence.
“Tactically, I don’t have a favorite manager,” he continues. “I don’t care what kind of football I’m asked to play. Against Man United I felt more like a defender. This manager trusts and believes in me and what I bring to the pitch, and that’s important to me.”
Everton are safely placed in the mid-table and Grealish, now 30, has every right to indulge his creative side. Obviously, the chances of scoring points are still real, but for the first time in a while the Toffees aren’t looking over their shoulders at every turn, which means adventure is more easily encouraged.
“This manager wants to play good football,” Grealish said emphatically when asked if “maverick Jack” would actually suit a manager who follows a more pragmatic style. But by listing all of his more technical team-mates, including Keenan Dewsbury-Hall, James Garner and Iliman Ndiaye, the playmaker highlights Everton’s switch from survival mode towards a more progressive future.
Probably the one with Grealish in it.
No team in the Premier League this season has had fewer shots on target than Everton (41), and given that their 15-goal return is on par with West Ham and Burnley, who are 18th and 19th respectively, there is plenty of room for improvement in productivity at the top end, but there is no doubt that Grealish has influenced a step change. While not as good as the best high-profile players, his ability to keep the ball at his feet and maneuver in tight spaces is better than almost anyone.
In that respect, he remains a rare figure.
Jack Grealish is the most fouled player in the Premier League this season
However, the scars from a barren season in which he lost confidence are never far away. “It’s tough not playing,” Grealish explains. Last season, he played 715 minutes in the league for Manchester City and only scored one goal. “It’s really difficult to keep a clean sheet in a team that plays irregular games. We didn’t have any rhythm.”
Despite Grealish’s momentum on Merseyside being almost instantaneous, it took a summer of hard work and intense self-reflection to get there. “I’m trying to do more off the pitch so I can be confident,” he added, admitting that City had had the worst season in their history under Josep Guardiola. Injury setbacks didn’t help either.
Four months on, Grealish has returned to his role as an architect and is fielding a dense defense befitting a role where he is relied on week in and week out. What the winger lost in confidence last season, he has finally gained in the form of determination.
We want to win something by beating Everton, this club deserves something better. I would like to try out for Europe, but mainly I would like to enjoy the cup competitions.
Jack Grealish
This is a player who is trying to prove a point to himself and those who judged him. “He’s even better than I thought,” Moyes memorably said after a 3-2 win over Wolves in August. Playing for Everton is different to playing for Manchester City, where the title is on the line, but Grealish is certainly better suited for it.
“I’m very lucky. The club has been very good to me. The fans sing my name every week,” he added. And Grealish gives them plenty of support in return.
Jack Grealish spoke at the PUMA Future Flow House event in Manchester to celebrate the launch of the PUMA Future 9, which is on sale now.
