“Of course there is,” answered David Moyes when, in Monday’s post-match press conference after the win at Newcastle United, he was asked if there was a way back for Jack Grealish at Everton.
Yet in Grealish’s absence — and enough has been said on that for now — Everton’s squad has really stepped up.
Perhaps they feel let down by their team-mate. Perhaps this is just the perfect opportunity for Moyes to really dial in on the “siege mentality” that comes with having such a small squad anyway.
And in the last few games, one man in particular has really stood up and taken on the mantle of being Everton’s main man with Grealish out.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall did not have the best start to the season, but one thing you can never doubt is his effort.
He is all-action, he will always try to be involved. Sometimes, like towards the end of last term, it feels like he tries a bit too hard.
But it is also what makes him so crucial. He is always capable of that moment of quality. Just this season alone, we saw it on the opening day against Crystal Palace, and again with his goal against Hull City, which then propelled him on in a fine second-half display on an individual level.
Even against Arsenal — the first game that Grealish missed as a result of his indiscipline, albeit the club put the playmaker’s absence down to “illness” — Dewsbury-Hall clearly tried to make things happen. He could not get it quite right, but he was Everton’s only real focal point.
In the last 2 games, though, it has really started to click, and we’re seeing the Dewsbury-Hall that was so impactful in the early winter last season, prior to his injury lay off, and then again when he came back in late January.
And though Dewsbury-Hall and Grealish have linked up well previously, it does feel as though he has really stepped up with the realisation that he can be Everton’s main man.
Credit must also go to Moyes, as he has (some might say too late) seemed to shift Dewsbury-Hall’s position slightly.
Dewsbury-Hall has always had the freedom to drift, but on the ball he has been dropping noticeably deeper over the past couple of games, which has allowed him more touches, more of a feel for things.
Here’s a few standout stats from his display on Monday:
- Chances created: 3 (game rank #1)
- Touches: 77 (game rank #2)
- Attempted passes: 51 (game rank #2)
- Successful passes: 43 (game rank #2)
- Passes into the final 3rd: 23 (game rank #1)
- Shots: 3 (game rank #T2)
- Duels won: 7/10
It was arguably Dewsbury-Hall’s best display in an Everton shirt. He was everywhere, and also covered the second-highest distance, behind Harrison Armstrong.
He did not score or assist, but he set up two fantastic chances at the end of the first half, and then played a pivotal role in Everton’s winner. It was Dewsbury-Hall’s pass that released Tyrique George, whose shot was bundled into Thierno Barry’s path.
Late on, Dewsbury-Hall’s game intelligence came to the fore. That trait, along with his knack of being in the right place at the right time, is often why Dewsbury-Hall doesn’t go off in games until very late on, if he goes off at all. Moyes just sees him as far too crucial, and the drop-off to what below him as being too great.
According to Opta’s Aaron Barton, Dewsbury-Hall has been involved in 58 attacking sequences in the Premier League this season, with only Bruno Fernandes (60) involved in more.
While Grealish must find a way back into the fold, and must atone for his actions, Dewsbury-Hall has proved he is more than capable of being Everton’s main man.
If Grealish does come back, and that’s no guarantee right now, then let’s just hope Dewsbury-Hall realises he can still be seen as the star player in Everton’s midfield. Not everything has to go through Grealish. Not everything has to go down Everton’s left, either, and it was noticeable in the second half, especially, how much Dewsbury-Hall was switching over to the right to link the play.
Thomas Tuchel will name his next England squad on Friday, and based on his last few performances, Dewsbury-Hall is more than worthy of a call-up.
But whether that call-up comes or not, Dewsbury-Hall is now Everton’s main man. Now, he just needs to keep on delivering.