Jack Grealish, the £100 million star whose flair and charisma have long defined his career, has once again captured headlines—not just for his dazzling performances on the pitch but for a seven-hour pub marathon in Stockholm, Sweden. Fresh off a scintillating start at Everton, where he’s on loan from Manchester City, the 29-year-old winger seized the international break to unwind at The Auld Dub, an Irish pub in the Swedish capital. The extended celebration, which saw Grealish and friends enjoying drinks and watching Liverpool’s 1-0 victory over Arsenal, has reignited debates about his off-field antics, even as his on-field brilliance signals a career renaissance.
Grealish’s move to Everton in August 2025 marked a turning point after a challenging spell at Manchester City. Once hailed as Britain’s most expensive footballer following his 2021 transfer from Aston Villa, Grealish struggled to secure a regular starting spot under Pep Guardiola, managing just seven Premier League starts last season. His loan to Everton, under the stewardship of manager David Moyes, has reignited his spark. “The biggest compliment I can say about Jack is that he’s even better than I thought he was,” Moyes enthused after Grealish’s standout performances, which included four assists in two matches—a 2-0 win over Brighton and a 3-2 thriller against Wolverhampton Wanderers. Grealish’s precise header and pinpoint passes in the Wolves match, where he set up goals for Betu and Iliman Ndiaye, showcased the creativity that made him a household name.
The Stockholm escapade came during a pause in the Premier League schedule for World Cup qualifiers, from which Grealish was notably absent, having been overlooked by England manager Thomas Tuchel. Seizing the opportunity, Grealish and his entourage descended on The Auld Dub around 4 p.m., staying until closing time at 11 p.m. “It was a bit shocking to see him come in,” said Mattias Mete, a former Swedish footballer working at the pub. “You saw him play on Saturday, and then all of a sudden he appeared here out of nowhere.” Mete, who snapped a photo with the star, noted that Grealish was relaxed, enjoying food and drinks while soaking in the match atmosphere. The visit resonated deeply, given Grealish’s Irish heritage through his grandparents, which once saw him represent the Republic of Ireland at youth level before switching to England in 2016.
While Grealish’s pub stint was incident-free, it stirred mixed reactions among fans. His history of high-profile nights out—including a three-day bender after Manchester City’s 2024 Premier League title and being turned away from a Manchester bar in 2022 for appearing too intoxicated—has cemented his “party boy” image. Some Everton supporters embraced his larger-than-life personality, with one tweeting, “Jack’s just living his truth, and he’s killing it on the pitch!” Others, however, expressed disappointment, recalling how his drinking habits contributed to his fall from grace at City. “Grealish is still unable to stop drinking and entertainment,” one critic lamented, pointing to his loss of a starting role under Guardiola.
On the pitch, Grealish’s revival is undeniable. His flair, evident in five completed dribbles and 13 of 17 ground duels won against Wolves, has Evertonians dreaming of a top-six finish. “For me, I wanted to come here and the main thing was to enjoy football,” Grealish said, reflecting on his move. His next test looms large: a clash against former club Aston Villa on September 13 at Hill Dickinson Stadium, where emotions will run high. Moyes believes Grealish’s hunger will shine through: “He probably has something to prove. I had something to prove over the years at different times.”
As Grealish balances his vibrant personality with his quest to reclaim an England spot for the 2026 World Cup, his Swedish adventure underscores the dichotomy of his career—brilliance marred by controversy. With Everton’s new stadium as his stage and Moyes’s faith in his “creativeness,” Grealish is poised to rewrite his narrative, one dazzling assist at a time.
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