Jack Grealish, the charismatic England midfielder, has ignited a firestorm of debate with his surprising decision to join Everton on a season-long loan from Manchester City for the 2025-26 Premier League campaign. The move, finalized on August 12, 2025, has been met with jubilation on Merseyside but has drawn scathing criticism from the Italian press, who claim Napoli, a club that pursued Grealish earlier this summer, “dodged a bullet” by missing out on the 29-year-old star. The Italian media’s sharp rebuke, coupled with comparisons to the controversial career of Paul Gascoigne, has added a layer of intrigue to Grealish’s latest chapter as he seeks to revive his faltering career.
Grealish’s transfer to Everton, which includes a £50 million option to buy next summer, marks a significant shift for a player who once commanded a British record £100 million fee when he moved from Aston Villa to Manchester City in 2021. After a challenging spell at City, where he started just seven Premier League matches last season under Pep Guardiola, Grealish was left out of the club’s 2025 Club World Cup squad, signaling his diminished role. Eager for regular playing time ahead of the 2026 World Cup, Grealish chose Everton over offers from abroad, including a potential move to Serie A champions Napoli under Antonio Conte. “I’m over the moon to have signed for Everton – it’s massive for me, honestly,” Grealish told Everton’s media team. “This is a great club, with great fans. As soon as I spoke to the manager, I knew there was only one place that I wanted to go.”
The move to Everton’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium is seen as a statement of intent for the Toffees, who are aiming to climb into the Premier League’s top ten under manager David Moyes. Grealish, who will wear the iconic No. 18 shirt—previously donned by Everton legends Wayne Rooney and Paul Gascoigne—expressed personal motivation for his choice. “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,” he explained. “I spoke to Wayne before I came here and mentioned that to him – about the number 18 – so I hope he’s happy as well.” Moyes, optimistic about Grealish’s potential, added, “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. I know Jack’s ambition is to get back into the England squad, so hopefully we can help him achieve that.”
While Everton fans have flooded social media with messages of support, welcoming Grealish as a marquee signing, the reaction in Italy has been markedly different. Napoli’s interest in Grealish was well-documented, but after he opted for Everton, Italian media outlets, particularly Gazzetta dello Sport, didn’t hold back. One journalist argued that Grealish would have been “a disaster” in Serie A, citing his lack of pace and tendency to slow down play. “Italian clubs have dodged a bullet,” the critique read, emphasizing that Grealish’s technical style wouldn’t suit Conte’s fast-paced, vertical system. The commentary took a personal turn, drawing parallels to Gascoigne’s tumultuous stint at Lazio in the 1990s, not for his on-field brilliance but for his off-field lifestyle. “Grealish’s recent appearances in pubs across England, drinking and socializing with fans, are reminiscent of Gazza’s behaviour,” the journalist wrote, suggesting that such antics could foreshadow a decline.
Grealish’s off-field persona has long been a talking point. Known for his flair and larger-than-life personality, he’s been spotted enjoying nights out and holidays in Ibiza, which the Italian press seized upon as evidence of a lack of discipline. Yet, his supporters argue that these moments reflect his relatability and charisma, qualities that endeared him to fans at Aston Villa, where he captained the side to promotion in 2019. At Everton, Moyes is banking on Grealish’s technical ability and creativity to spark a team in transition. “We’re all looking forward to working with him and providing a platform for him to show the best version of himself,” Moyes said, acknowledging Grealish’s potential to emulate the maverick flair Gascoigne brought to Everton between 2000 and 2002.
As Grealish prepares for his Everton debut against Leeds United on August 18, the spotlight will be on whether he can recapture the form that made him a £100 million player. His determination to secure a spot in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the 2026 World Cup adds urgency to his mission. “On social media, I’ve been flooded with messages from Everton supporters,” Grealish noted. “I want to say thank you for all of the messages I’ve had already. I hope I can repay you now, and I’m sure I will.” For now, as Grealish steps into the No. 18 shirt and a new chapter at Everton, the Italian press’s harsh words and Gascoigne comparisons only fuel the narrative of a player determined to prove his doubters wrong.
Leave a Reply