Everton’s new chapter at the Hill Dickinson Stadium is off to an electrifying start with the arrival of Jack Grealish, the 29-year-old England international, on a season-long loan from Manchester City. Manager David Moyes, back at the helm of the Toffees, has hailed Grealish’s fierce determination to revive his career as the driving force behind the high-profile signing. “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, his confidence palpable as he eyes a transformative season for the club. With the 2025-26 Premier League campaign kicking off against Leeds United on August 18, 2025, Grealish’s hunger to prove doubters wrong could be the key to restoring excitement to Everton’s attack.
Grealish, once the cornerstone of Aston Villa’s resurgence and a £100 million record-breaker when he joined Manchester City in 2021, has faced a challenging two years. Limited to just seven Premier League starts last season and excluded from City’s Club World Cup squad, he also missed England’s Euro 2024 roster, a blow he described as leaving him “heartbroken.” Yet, Moyes sees a player ready to rediscover the flair that made him a household name. “I know Jack’s ambition is to get back into the England squad, so hopefully we can help him achieve that over the course of the season,” Moyes added, drawing parallels to his successful revitalization of Jesse Lingard at West Ham in 2021. Grealish’s versatility—able to shine on the left wing or as a central No. 10—offers tactical flexibility, though it creates a selection headache with Iliman Ndiaye and Dwight McNeil also vying for similar roles.
The loan deal, finalized after intense negotiations, comes with a hefty price tag, with Everton covering over £12 million in wages and fees. Despite the financial strain, Moyes views Grealish as a statement signing to signal Everton’s ambitions in their new waterfront stadium. “It’s massive for me, honestly. This is a great club, with great fans,” Grealish said, his enthusiasm evident after a warm welcome from supporters. “On social media, I’ve been flooded with messages from Everton supporters, so there’s that side of it as well and that’s another reason why I chose Everton.” His decision to wear the No. 18 shirt—a nod to idols Wayne Rooney and Paul Gascoigne, both former Everton stars—has further endeared him to the fanbase.
Moyes’ pursuit of Grealish was relentless, involving late-night talks and a personal touch that swayed the midfielder away from interest from Napoli and Atletico Madrid. “As soon as I spoke to the manager, I knew there was only one place that I wanted to go,” Grealish revealed, echoing the persuasive pull Moyes wielded to secure Marouane Fellaini in 2008. Former Everton CEO Keith Wyness, who worked with Grealish at Villa, backed the move, saying, “I’ve never seen a player receive a ball and make himself an extra yard in the way that he just controls it. I think with Moyes giving him a bit more freedom than he might get at City, this would work.” Grealish’s recent fitness work, including sessions with a personal trainer in Marbella, has him in peak condition, with Moyes noting he’s “looking fabulous, in great shape” for a potential debut at Leeds.
However, Everton’s squad remains a work in progress. The club’s seventh summer signing, goalkeeper Tom King, followed Grealish, but the departures of key players like Abdoulaye Doucoure and Dominic Calvert-Lewin have left gaps. Moyes admitted, “We are a long way off at the moment. I don’t think we can do that in this window and make the team what we want it to be, but we are going to need people along the journey to make it more exciting.” Failed bids for wingers like Southampton’s Tyler Dibling and others highlight the challenges, with the right flank a particular concern. Despite a lackluster pre-season, including a 2-1 loss to West Ham in the Premier League Summer Series, Moyes remains optimistic, citing the club’s new stadium as a foundation for revival. “The club have done brilliantly to build a new stadium. I think now there has to be a building of a football club back inside it,” he said.
Grealish’s arrival has sparked optimism, with teammates like Carlos Alcaraz already inspired. “He is a great guy. In the short time he has been here, he has had time for everyone, chatted to everyone and tried to get to know everyone,” Alcaraz said. As Everton prepare to face Leeds, where Grealish’s flair could counter the hosts’ pressing game, the stage is set for a potential resurgence. With the World Cup looming in 2026, Grealish’s mission to impress England manager Thomas Tuchel adds extra motivation. For Everton fans, long starved of attacking verve, Grealish’s swagger could be the catalyst to make the Hill Dickinson Stadium era one to remember.
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