Jack Grealish, the charismatic England international, has reignited his career with a sparkling start at Everton, where he’s on a season-long loan from Manchester City for the 2025-26 Premier League campaign. The 29-year-old winger, once a cornerstone of City’s treble-winning 2022-23 season, found himself sidelined under Pep Guardiola last term, starting just seven league matches. Now, under the guidance of Everton manager David Moyes, Grealish is rediscovering the joy and flair that made him a £100 million star. However, a now-deleted Instagram post hinting at his frustration with Guardiola’s rotation policy has sparked headlines, underscoring the complex dynamics of his departure from the Etihad Stadium.
Grealish’s move to Everton came after a turbulent few years at Manchester City, where he struggled to maintain the dazzling form that saw him start every UEFA Champions League knockout game en route to City’s maiden title in 2023. Injuries and a dip in consistency saw him overtaken by younger talents like Jeremy Doku and Savinho, leading to his exclusion from City’s squad for key matches, including the 2024-25 season finale against Fulham and the FIFA Club World Cup. “The only reason he didn’t play minutes was me,” Guardiola admitted earlier this year, deflecting suggestions that Grealish’s off-field behavior was to blame. Yet, reports suggest Grealish felt “frozen out” by his manager, a sentiment that fueled his decision to seek a fresh start.
At Everton’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium, Grealish has wasted no time making an impact. In his first three Premier League appearances, he notched four assists, including two in a thrilling 3-2 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers and another pair in a 2-0 win against Brighton. His performances have been a revelation, with Moyes granting him the freedom to express his maverick style, a stark contrast to the structured role he played under Guardiola. “He’s been given the freedom to express himself on the pitch, and the fans absolutely love him,” one observer noted, capturing the sentiment among Everton supporters who have embraced Grealish as a talisman. His synergy with teammates like Iliman Ndiaye and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has added dynamism to Everton’s attack, with Moyes praising his influence: “The biggest compliment I can say about Jack is that he’s even better than I thought he was.”
The now-deleted Instagram story that caused a stir came after Manchester City’s 2-1 loss to Brighton on August 31, 2025. Grealish posted a screenshot of a Google search highlighting that he hadn’t started three consecutive games since September 2024, captioning it with a laughing emoji and the words, “Feels so good to finally play three matches in a row.” The post, accompanied by a dark blue heart, was widely interpreted as a subtle jab at Guardiola’s rotation policy, which had limited his playing time at City. Fans on social media were quick to react, with one commenting, “Grealish for Man City is the best example of a player being held as a prisoner I can think of. What a footballer he is when given freedom.” Another added, “Being freed from Guardiola’s shackles must be a liberating feeling.” Grealish’s swift deletion of the post suggested a desire to avoid escalating tensions, but the message had already gone viral.
Grealish’s resurgence at Everton is not just about proving a point to his former manager. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup looming, he’s determined to force his way back into England manager Thomas Tuchel’s plans after being omitted from recent squads. “I know Jack’s ambition is to get back into the England squad, so hopefully we can help him achieve that,” Moyes said, emphasizing the club’s commitment to nurturing Grealish’s talent. His performances, including seven ball recoveries and three tackles in the Brighton match, show a player rediscovering his all-around game. “I felt really good,” Grealish said after the win. “Out there I could drift, I could do what I want more or less and play with a bit of freedom, take more risks.”
As Everton push for a European spot, Grealish’s loan move appears to be a masterstroke. His decision to join the Toffees over interest from Newcastle and Tottenham reflects a desire to reconnect with the joy of the game. “As soon as I spoke to David Moyes on FaceTime, I knew this was the place I wanted to come,” he shared after his debut. With a smile that seems “surgically attached,” as one commentator put it, Grealish is thriving in Merseyside’s blue half, proving that sometimes a change of scenery is all it takes to reignite a star’s shine.
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