Grealish for England? Everton Borrowed Star Giving England Manager a Headache

'Grealish has contributed enormously' - David Moyes

Match official the official had only just sounded the final whistle to confirm the Toffees' dramatic late win over Crystal Palace when the Merseyside outfit changed the profile on their X account.

Below the team's iconic badge appeared a short phrase: Grealish Deserves England Call.

It's nearly a year since Jack Grealish last sported a Three Lions shirt in a 3-1 international win over the Finns in the Finnish capital under caretaker manager the former coach.

It will be while longer before the veteran player gets the chance to represent his country again after being left out from the England boss's most recent squad for a exhibition match against the Welsh next midweek, followed by a World Cup qualifier in Latvia on the 14th of October.

But one thing remains crystal clear: the playmaker is doing all in his power to play his way into the manager's plans for next summer's World Cup.

Having delivered four assists in his initial half-dozen top-flight appearances for Everton, Grealish netted the 93rd-minute winner to secure his side's comeback victory after Dean Henderson had denied the striker from point-blank range.

Recorded at the 92nd minute, it was Everton's most recent home Premier League winning goal since spring 2022 against the Magpies - deep into added time.

"Do you know what's mad?" remarked Grealish, in an interview with broadcasters after the match.

"The last games we've played here we've been drawing and I've thought in the 85th minute, 'come on Jack, go and score. Think about scoring a late goal'.

"I thought it against Villa, and I failed to find the net. I repeated it against the Hammers and I didn't score.

"This time, I really thought the exact words again and I put it in. I sprinted towards where my mum and dad were, so it was special."

  • Grealish 93rd-minute winner for Everton ends Crystal Palace unbeaten run
  • 'Exceeding expectations' - the manager praises maverick Grealish after win

'England omission not a big deal'

Sunday's game was the midfielder's last for three weeks - having just managed to string together six successive Premier League starts for the initial occasion in nearly two and a half years.

He will be not allowed to face his owning team Manchester City when Everton resume play after the international break on October 18.

There are over eight months before the start of the World Cup. Will Grealish be included on the England plane?

"You know what?" he shared with the radio station after the Crystal Palace game, "I don't think as deep as people make out."

"Ultimately, you aspire to play for the England side but others are doing well in my position. I'm doing well also, but the players selected last month did really well in the two games so that's fine with me.

"The coach makes the choices and I fully respect that."

Grealish added: "My priority is playing for this club because they are the ones that put their trust in me and believed in me, so I'm really enjoying it here."

But, former England striker the legendary forward informed the media that Grealish's form for the Merseysiders will be creating Tuchel a "selection problem".

"The only thing for him is continue performing what he is doing, clearly scoring a winner today," commented the pundit, who scored 53 goals in more than a hundred games for the national team.

"I'm sure if he maintains that he will be in contention come the summer.

"If Jack plays, his talent will shine through, so I'm confident he'll be posing the England manager a dilemma."

'Johnny-on-the-spot'

Jack Grealish in play for Everton

Jack Grealish started seven Premier League matches last season - he's begun six since joining Everton in August.

Tuchel maintains the opportunity exists for the playmaker, who has 39 caps and several strikes for his country, in terms of the global competition next summer.

"There's invariably a way back into the camp," the England boss stated on last week.

"Jack knows that I recognize how impactful he is for the team and that he is on his path to be the best version of himself."

During his seven Premier League games since joining on a temporary deal from City, he has played 556 minutes, had multiple contributions, created numerous opportunities and had 10 shots.

"He's been excellent again," said Everton boss David Moyes after his team's first win since 30 August.

"I've been urging him to score more. He is Johnny-on-the-spot.

"Iliman Ndiaye's cross was incredible and Beto should have scored. But Grealish is positioned well to score the goal."

The manager disclosed Grealish had skipped training during the week because of a slight issue, adding: "He has had to miss the odd day of training but he is doing a many good things."

The midfielder was not the only player excluded from the manager's England squad who managed to find the net this round of fixtures.

Marcus Rashford netted again for Barcelona - although they were defeated 4-1 at Sevilla - while the midfielder got a goal in Manchester United victory over Sunderland on the weekend.

Dorothy Peterson
Dorothy Peterson

Marco is a seasoned travel writer and cruise enthusiast with over a decade of experience exploring Mediterranean destinations.