Everton are riding a crest of momentum as they prepare to face Wolves at Molineux on Saturday, August 30, 2025, with manager David Moyes expressing delight at the team’s early-season form and the dazzling impact of loan signing Jack Grealish. The Toffees, buoyed by a 2-0 Premier League victory over Brighton in their historic debut at the new Hill Dickinson Stadium and a 2-0 Carabao Cup triumph against Mansfield, are chasing a third consecutive win. However, Moyes remains pragmatic, acknowledging that injuries and squad depth issues necessitate further signings before the transfer window slams shut on Monday, August 31. With Grealish’s flair igniting Merseyside, Everton’s ambitions are clear, but the road ahead demands reinforcements to sustain their promising start.
Grealish, the 29-year-old England international on loan from Manchester City, has quickly become the heartbeat of Everton’s attack. His home debut against Brighton was a masterclass, as he provided assists for both goals—setting up Iliman Ndiaye for the stadium’s inaugural strike and James Garner for the second. “I’m really pleased with Jack. He did lots of good things,” Moyes said, praising Grealish’s composure and creativity. “The big thing is he carried the ball for us. He sort of retained the ball for us, which gave us a little bit more composure at different times.” Grealish’s immediate chemistry with Ndiaye, despite never training together, was a revelation. “I said to Illy yesterday, is there any chance of the manager playing us together?” Grealish quipped, while Ndiaye added, “Jack is an amazing player, we all know that, today he showed what he can do. I think it can be very good this season.” Grealish’s hour-long stint in the Mansfield win further showcased his growing fitness, earning chants of “super Jack Grealish” from the ecstatic Everton faithful.
Moyes’ decision to bring Grealish to Merseyside was a bold statement of intent, sealed during a pivotal FaceTime call that swayed the former Aston Villa star over offers from Napoli and Fenerbahce. “It just felt like it was time for a change and as soon as I spoke to the manager David Moyes on FaceTime, I knew this was the place I wanted to come,” Grealish said, crediting Moyes’ vision. The move, costing Everton over £12 million in wages and fees, reflects Moyes’ ambition to rebuild a club that has flirted with relegation in recent years. “He is a real talent and someone we’re hoping can get back to the levels he’s produced before,” Moyes said, eyeing Grealish’s 2020/21 Villa form—seven goals, 10 assists, and 81 chances created—as a blueprint. Grealish, who chose the No. 18 shirt in homage to Wayne Rooney and Paul Gascoigne, is driven by a World Cup dream, with England manager Thomas Tuchel closely monitoring his resurgence.
Despite the optimism, Moyes is candid about Everton’s challenges. Injuries to defenders Jarrad Branthwaite, Nathan Patterson, Seamus Coleman, and Vitalii Mykolenko have exposed a lack of depth, with 19-year-old Adam Aznou also nursing an ankle issue. “We could make more signings but I don’t want to raise all the expectations all the time,” Moyes cautioned, tempering hopes as the transfer deadline looms. He hopes Mykolenko will return for Wolves, noting, “It was important for us to get him back.” The club’s seven summer signings—including Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Carlos Alcaraz, Thierno Barry, Mark Travers, Tom King, and Tyler Dibling—have added flair, but Moyes admitted, “We can’t repair everything in one summer.” The £35 million capture of Dibling from Southampton, a versatile winger, has sparked excitement, but integrating him alongside Grealish, Ndiaye, Alcaraz, and Dwight McNeil poses a tactical puzzle for Moyes’ preferred 4-2-3-1 formation.
Everton’s new £800 million stadium has galvanized the squad and fans, but Moyes knows defensive reinforcements and a natural right-winger are critical to avoid over-reliance on Grealish’s magic. “I think the club have done brilliantly to build a new stadium,” he said. “Now there has to be a building of a football club back inside it.” The Wolves clash, following a frustrating 2-1 loss at Leeds in the season opener, is a chance to build momentum before the international break. Grealish’s ability to “get at people” and “take people on,” as Moyes urged, could unlock Wolves’ defense, but Everton’s injury-hit backline will need to withstand pressure from a side eager to rebound at home. With the transfer window ticking down, Moyes’ blend of optimism and realism sets the tone for a season where Grealish’s revival could light the way for Everton’s new era.
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