Jack Grealish’s arrival at Everton on a season-long loan from Manchester City has sparked excitement among fans and set the stage for a potential career revival for the 29-year-old England star. The move, finalized in August 2025, marks a significant coup for Everton manager David Moyes, who played a pivotal role in convincing Grealish to join the Toffees. Moyes, known for his knack for revitalizing talent, revealed that every conversation he had about Grealish painted a glowing picture of the winger’s character and ability, fueling his determination to bring the former Aston Villa captain to Merseyside.
Moyes’ pursuit of Grealish was driven by a belief in the player’s untapped potential. “Everybody who speaks about him loves Jack,” Moyes shared, reflecting on the unanimous praise he received from contacts at Aston Villa and Manchester City. “I spoke to people at Villa, I spoke to people at City, and they all speak so highly of Jack as a boy and what he does and his time for everybody.” These conversations, coupled with Moyes’ own observations of Grealish’s flair, convinced the manager that the winger could bring a spark to Everton’s attack. “I’ve been really impressed by him generally,” Moyes added, noting Grealish’s ability to connect with teammates and fans alike.
Grealish’s journey to Everton was not without hurdles. After a challenging 2024/25 season at Manchester City, where he started just seven Premier League matches and was omitted from the Club World Cup squad, Grealish faced a crossroads. Pep Guardiola’s decision to leave him out signaled a shift in priorities at City, where younger players like Phil Foden and Jeremy Doku had overtaken him in the pecking order. Despite interest from European clubs like Napoli and Atletico Madrid, Grealish was swayed by a heartfelt FaceTime call with Moyes. “As soon as I spoke to the manager, David Moyes, on FaceTime, I knew this was the place I wanted to come,” Grealish said. “There were a lot of reasons I wanted to come here, and today shows why.”
The winger’s impact was immediate. On his full debut against Brighton at Everton’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium, Grealish delivered two assists in a 2-0 victory, setting up Iliman Ndiaye for the historic first goal at the new venue and laying off a pass for James Garner’s long-range strike. “I’m really pleased with Jack. He did lots of good things,” Moyes said, praising Grealish’s ball retention and attacking intent. “He had licence to go at people. He’s got a great ability to keep the ball close to him and make it hard to take it off him.” Grealish’s refusal to leave the pitch early, despite Moyes offering a breather, underscored his determination. “Jack was game for it; he didn’t want off after 60 minutes – no chance. He wants to show he’s the real deal,” Moyes noted.
Grealish’s move to Everton is about more than just rediscovering form; it’s a chance to reclaim his spot in the England squad ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Left out of the 2024 European Championship and overlooked by England manager Thomas Tuchel, Grealish is driven by a desire to prove his doubters wrong. “The knowledge that he thinks he’s got a little bit to prove and to stand up,” Moyes said, drawing parallels to his own career resilience. “I’ve had to come back from being knocked down. Sometimes you have to have that resilience to bounce back, to fight back and to show everybody. I just sense Jack is carrying that with him now.” This hunger was evident in his Brighton performance, where he rolled back the years with a swashbuckling display reminiscent of his Aston Villa days.
The move also carries symbolic weight. Grealish chose the number 18 shirt, a nod to his idols Paul Gascoigne and Wayne Rooney, both of whom wore it during their Everton tenures. “There were other numbers, but my two favourite English players ever are Wayne Rooney and Paul Gascoigne, and I know they both wore number 18 here,” Grealish explained. His conversation with Rooney before the transfer added a personal touch to the decision, reinforcing his connection to the club’s storied history.
For Everton, Grealish’s signing is a statement of intent. Despite financial constraints and a squad still in need of reinforcements, Moyes sees Grealish as a marquee addition to excite fans and elevate the team’s ambitions at their new stadium. “We’re all fully aware of the levels he’s capable of performing to,” Moyes said, emphasizing the platform Everton offers for Grealish to shine. His immediate chemistry with Ndiaye, who praised Grealish as “an amazing player,” hints at a burgeoning partnership that could define Everton’s season. As Moyes continues to rebuild the club, Grealish’s flair and determination could be the catalyst for a new era of success on Merseyside.
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