Jack Grealish’s arrival at Everton on a season-long loan from Manchester City has sparked a wave of excitement among fans and pundits, as the 29-year-old England international seeks to reignite his faltering career. Finalized on August 12, 2025, the move to Everton’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium marks a pivotal moment for Grealish, who has struggled for game time under Pep Guardiola at City. With the 2026 World Cup looming, Everton manager David Moyes has been tasked with making Grealish the “king of the castle,” leveraging his flair and experience to transform the Toffees’ attack. “He’s got a chance to get his career back on track and it’s a great chance at a huge football club,” said former England striker Alan Shearer, encapsulating the high stakes of this transfer.
### A Career at a Crossroads
Grealish’s journey to Everton follows a challenging period at Manchester City, where his role diminished significantly. After a £100 million move from Aston Villa in 2021, Grealish was a cornerstone of City’s 2022-23 Treble-winning campaign, starting all seven Champions League knockout ties and contributing five goals and 11 assists across 50 appearances. However, his game time dwindled, with only seven Premier League starts last season and an unused substitute role in the FA Cup final loss to Crystal Palace. “I’m over the moon to have signed for Everton – it’s massive for me, honestly,” Grealish said, expressing his enthusiasm for the move. “As soon as I spoke to the manager, I knew there was only one place that I wanted to go.” His decision to join Everton, despite interest from Napoli and Atletico Madrid, was driven by Moyes’ vision of restoring his confidence and prominence.
Moyes, who returned to Everton in January 2025 and guided them to a 13th-place finish, sees Grealish as a marquee signing to herald the club’s new era at their 52,769-capacity waterfront stadium. “I think we’re getting him at a good time because he’s experienced, he understands the Premier League, and we’re all fully aware of the levels he’s capable of performing to,” Moyes said. The manager’s persuasive pitch, emphasizing Grealish’s role as a central figure drifting between the No. 10 position and left wing, swayed the midfielder, who was “heartbroken” after being omitted from England’s 2024 European Championship squad. With England boss Thomas Tuchel open to selecting out-of-favor players like Marcus Rashford, Grealish sees Everton as his platform to reclaim a spot for the 2026 World Cup.
### Financial Sacrifices and Fan Support
The deal, which includes a £50 million option to buy, required Grealish to make financial sacrifices, with Everton covering a significant portion of his £300,000-a-week wages, totaling around £12 million for the season. “Jack Grealish has gone ‘above and beyond’ to make this move happen,” an insider noted, highlighting his commitment to reviving his career without uprooting his young family from the North West. Grealish’s medical, completed on August 11 in Newton-le-Willows, was met with excitement from Everton fans, who flooded social media with messages of support. “On social media, I’ve been flooded with messages from Everton supporters, so there’s that side of it as well,” Grealish said, thanking fans for their warm welcome.
His choice of the No. 18 shirt carries symbolic weight, honoring his idols Wayne Rooney and Paul Gascoigne, both of whom wore the number 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. This nod to club history underscores his desire to connect with Everton’s passionate fanbase, further fueled by a chance encounter with former captain Alan Stubbs in Marbella, who assured Grealish of the fans’ adoration.
### Tactical Fit and Challenges
Moyes’ preferred 4-2-3-1 formation aligns with Grealish’s versatility, though his integration poses challenges. At Aston Villa, Grealish thrived as a free-roaming playmaker, spending 64% of his Premier League minutes on the left wing and 20% as a No. 10, compared to 80% on the left at City, where Guardiola’s disciplined system curbed his flair. “He needs to show the energy, hunger, and desire that he showed at Aston Villa,” Shearer urged, suggesting Moyes must empower Grealish to rediscover his maverick style. However, Everton’s squad, bolstered by signings like Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Iliman Ndiaye, faces an imbalance, with no right-winger secured after failed bids for Southampton’s Tyler Dibling and Aston Villa’s John McGinn.
### A High-Stakes Gamble
Everton’s investment in Grealish is a calculated risk, given his injury history and recent dip in form. Yet, Moyes’ track record of revitalizing players, combined with the club’s ambitious new stadium era under American owners TFG, fuels optimism. “It was a very strange decision for him, but you can see why: Because he wants to get into the national team,” said former England international Steve McManaman, noting the World Cup’s influence on Grealish’s choice. A debut against Leeds United on August 18, live on Sky Sports, could mark the start of his redemption arc. As Everton prepare for their first home game at Bramley-Moore Dock against Brighton, Grealish has the chance to become the talisman Moyes envisions, driving the Toffees toward a mid-table push and rekindling his status as England’s dazzling playmaker.
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