Jack Grealish, the charismatic English midfielder, has rediscovered his spark at Everton, and his former Manchester City teammate Erling Haaland is among his biggest cheerleaders. After a challenging final season at City, where Grealish managed just five assists in limited appearances, the 29-year-old’s loan move to Everton has ignited a remarkable turnaround. In only his first two Premier League starts for the Toffees, Grealish has delivered an impressive four assists, earning him a playful yet prestigious nickname from Haaland: “Jack De Bruyne.” This nod to Manchester City’s legendary playmaker Kevin De Bruyne reflects Grealish’s newfound creative flair on Merseyside, where he’s quickly becoming a fan favorite.
Grealish’s journey to Everton came after a summer of tough decisions. With just seven starts for Manchester City last season, the former Aston Villa captain needed a fresh start to reignite his career and secure a spot in England’s 2026 World Cup squad. The loan move to Everton, finalized in August 2025, offered him that chance. The deal, which includes a £50 million buy option, has already proven to be a masterstroke by Everton manager David Moyes. Grealish donned the number 18 shirt—a tribute to Everton icons Wayne Rooney and Paul Gascoigne—and has embraced his role as a talisman at the club’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium.
His impact was immediate. In Everton’s 3-2 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on August 30, 2025, Grealish provided two assists, setting up Beto’s opener with a pinpoint header and later clipping a precise ball to Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall for a stunning finish. This performance followed a similar display against Brighton, where he assisted goals for Iliman Ndiaye and James Garner in a 2-0 win. Grealish’s four assists in two games mark a stark contrast to his output over the past two seasons at City, where he managed just two league assists. His resurgence has not only silenced doubters but also caught the eye of his former teammate Haaland, who took to Snapchat to proclaim, “Jack De Bruyne does it again for Everton.”
Haaland’s support goes beyond playful banter. The Norwegian striker, known for his prolific goal-scoring, has maintained a close bond with Grealish since their time together at City. When news of Grealish’s loan broke, Haaland commented on social media, urging Everton fans to “take good care of him.” His latest post, likening Grealish to De Bruyne—who tallied 177 assists during his decade at City—underscores the magnitude of Grealish’s early contributions. Fans on social media echoed Haaland’s enthusiasm, with one supporter noting, “Haaland has to be the most supportive mate you can have,” while another remarked, “He’s been given the freedom to express himself on the pitch and the fans absolutely love him, perfect move for him.”
Everton’s manager David Moyes has been equally effusive. After the Wolves match, Moyes praised Grealish’s mentality and impact, saying, “It’s nothing to do with me, let me tell you, it’s all to do with Jack and his own mentality to be better… there’s a wee bit to prove, I’m sure. I think we all have, I think in life you’ve always got to keep something you have to strive to do and I think Jack wants to show that he’s a good player.” Moyes also highlighted Grealish’s unexpected brilliance, admitting, “He is even better than I thought. He probably needs a bit of love and attention. He needs the games as well. Hopefully he starts building on it and he gets even better as the season goes on.”
Grealish’s performances have sparked discussions about his international prospects. Despite being omitted from England’s latest squad by manager Thomas Tuchel, his form suggests a recall is imminent if he maintains this level. Teammate Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who benefited from Grealish’s assist against Wolves, lauded his quality, saying, “Everyone knows Jack is quality but Ili [Ndiaye] is a top player. And playing with him you see how good he is. It is a nice feeling having players like that around you.” Grealish himself has expressed a renewed joy in playing, noting that his time at Everton has allowed him to rediscover his love for the game.
Everton’s early season success, with six points from three matches, owes much to Grealish’s creativity and the club’s ambitious summer recruitment. Alongside Grealish, new signings like Thierno Barry, Carlos Alcaraz, and Mark Travers have bolstered the squad, positioning the Toffees as potential European contenders. As Everton prepare to face Grealish’s boyhood club, Aston Villa, on September 13, the stage is set for the midfielder to continue his scintillating form. For now, “Jack De Bruyne” is thriving, and with Haaland and Everton fans firmly in his corner, Grealish’s redemption arc is one of the Premier League’s most compelling stories of the 2025-26 season.
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