In the summer of 2025, Jack Grealish’s arrival at Everton on a season-long loan from Manchester City sent ripples of excitement through Merseyside. The former Aston Villa captain, once English football’s first £100m player, was seeking redemption after a frustrating spell on the fringes at City. His move to the Toffees’ gleaming new Hill Dickinson Stadium wasn’t just a transfer—it was the start of a love affair with Everton fans and players alike, fueled by a late-night phone call, a candid challenge from manager David Moyes, and Grealish’s infectious charisma that won over his new squad.
The story began on August 11, 2025, when Everton’s new chief executive, Angus Kinnear, found himself stuck at the club’s training ground late into the evening, finalizing Grealish’s transfer. Realizing he’d miss bedtime with his son, Kinnear prepared for a tough call home. But Grealish, ever the charmer, intervened. “Hello mate!” he beamed via FaceTime, his trademark grin lighting up the screen as he spoke to Kinnear’s disbelieving son. “I’m sorry your dad’s going to be late, but we’re just finishing this off—I’m about to sign for Everton.” That spontaneous gesture, blending humility and warmth, set the tone for Grealish’s seamless integration into the Everton family.
Moyes, back for his second stint as Everton’s manager, played a pivotal role in securing Grealish. Known for his no-nonsense approach, he didn’t sugarcoat the challenge. In a June phone call, Moyes laid it bare: “If you sign for Everton, there’s no guarantee you’re going to be starting every week.” It was a calculated test. Moyes, who famously vetted Joleon Lescott 27 times before signing him in 2005, wanted to gauge Grealish’s hunger. Far from balking, Grealish embraced the challenge, his desire to rediscover his spark evident. “I’ve known Jack a long while, and I know what he’s like,” Moyes later said. “He wants to play every week and show people what he’s about. I’m the same. We’re on the same wavelength.”
Grealish’s early performances validated Moyes’ gamble. In Everton’s 2-0 win over Brighton, he delivered both assists, including a pinpoint cross for Iliman Ndiaye’s historic first goal at the new stadium. At Wolverhampton Wanderers, he was electric, contributing to all three goals in a 3-2 victory with a header for Beto’s opener and a deft pass for Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s winner. “He’s even better than I thought,” Moyes marveled. “What Jack gives us is something just on the edge, which hopefully it’s on the edge of creativeness—and maybe scoring goals.” Grealish’s stats were staggering: four assists in two games, surpassing his total from the last two Premier League seasons at City.
Off the pitch, Grealish’s personality endeared him to teammates. His bond with Jordan Pickford, forged over years in England camps, eased his transition, while a pre-move call with Dewsbury-Hall, a friend from overlapping social circles, confirmed Everton’s allure. “Get yourself down here, mate,” Dewsbury-Hall urged, and Grealish listened. His work ethic impressed, too. “One thing I’ve noticed is Jack’s one of the first in and one of the last out at training every day,” Dewsbury-Hall noted, praising his commitment to recovery and preparation. Club captain Seamus Coleman called his work rate “unbelievable,” while Wolves’ David Moller Wolfe waited 15 minutes post-match to swap shirts, catching Grealish in just his sliders and a smile.
Fans, starved for a superstar since James Rodriguez’s brief stint, embraced Grealish with fervor. After the Wolves win, one supporter’s enthusiastic hug felt like “a UFC chokehold!” Grealish laughed, relishing the adoration. “The reception he got that day was as good as anything I have heard for an Everton player over all my time,” Moyes said. Grealish’s flair, coupled with his ability to retain possession and draw fouls, has transformed Everton’s attack, complementing Ndiaye and Dewsbury-Hall in a dynamic trident. “Their ball carrying, their one-v-one situations, they’re making us look a much bigger threat,” Moyes noted.
As Everton negotiate a potential permanent deal—hoping to lower City’s £50m valuation with Grealish’s contract nearing its final year—the 30-year-old’s impact is undeniable. Awarded the Premier League Player of the Month for August, he’s rediscovered the joy that faded at City. “I felt really good,” Grealish said after the Brighton win. “Out there, I could drift, I could do what I want more or less and play with a bit of freedom.” With Moyes’ trust and a fanbase chanting his name, Grealish is not just revitalizing Everton—he’s rewriting his own story.
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