The debate: Should Everton take a punt on Jack Grealish?

Unlikely in the extreme. Besides, he's the wrong side of 30 and has had all the joy for football sucked out of him by that miserable bellend. See also: Sterling.

If I was a professional footballer, I wouldn't go anywhere near managers like Pep. He takes himself way too seriously because he's never had anyone correct his abysmal behaviour. I'd rather work for Dyche, at least he can crack a smile.

God almighty, what depths has this site reached.

No

Definitely not.

I think it’s been all downhill for Grealish at City, since he went on a very long summer bender after they won the treble and he never stopped smiling for a month!

I think we need to prioritise other positions

I have it on very good authority that little has changed since then for Jack, Tony - 5.

I think he’s still got a good couple of years of falling over left in him. Good for a 10 minute cameo if you’ve got de Bruyne, Sheedy or Baines in the team to take the free kicks. Not for us.

The answer from me is definitely NO.
It’s not a serious question anyway because we could never afford his wages unless City were to Ok some ridiculous loan deal whereby they end up paying a large chunk of his wages.
Very unlikely while he still is a very saleable commodity.
He is a very talented footballer but put your minds at ease,he most definitely is not coming to Everton!!
After all,the oil sheiks made all their Billions by giving away their assets didn’t they?

Should we say yes or no to Jack Grealish? Um, erm, let me think.

German: Nein

Spanish: No

French: Non

Italian: No

Portuguese: Não

Russian: нет (Nyet)

Chinese (Mandarin): 不 (Bù)

Japanese: いいえ (Iie)

Arabic: لا (Lā)

Hindi: नहीं (Nahin)

Dutch: Nee

Danish: Nej

Norwegian: Nei

Finnish: Ei

Greek: Ochi

Swahili: Hapana

Tagalog: Hindi

Another word for saying no, Don't touch him with a barge pole!

Waaaay past his best, never a hundred million pounds player, leave him where he is, I wouldn't have him on a free on £20.000 a week. I would actually rather have Jack Harrison.

I like Grealish but his wages are way out of Everton's reach. He will end up with another rich club if he leaves City which is very likely.

That was my feelings at the time Liam, when it started to look like he didn’t quite know how to draw the line.

According to Betfred, we are now the joint favourites at 4/1 with newly crowned Italian champions Napoli to sign Grealish, ahead of Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur (5/1); Newcastle United (7/1) and the Brummie’s previous club, Aston Villa (10/1).
Say it ain't so!

Sadly, the new owners of this site are constantly throwing up utter shite like this to get input. No more.

Good two-footed tackle there Andy. Not leaving but I am with you.

If a loan with City paying over 50% wages, then yes from me. But no to any other deal.

I really think a striker needs to be priority though, even when (probably will be) DCL is on a new contract.

Definitely take him on loan if City would cover half his salary. He's not a left winger, and his game at Villa was playmaker where he thrived, and how would anyone take Harrison ahead of him?

Is Jack Diamond going to be a long term contributor to ToffeeWeb?

Diamond? — Sounds more like Plastic to me.

Clickbait AI nonsense. Harry Diamond, Anjishnu Roy, do us a favour, absolute tripe being published by the bucketload, this site is now only usable and relevant on matchdays with reports by MK, and the live forum.

Real shame the way it's turned out/. Evertonia is the opposite, matchdays not much cop, TW far more interesting, but some decent well-written articles on Evertonia now and then.

No. On a subsidized loan, possibly. But we shouldn't take City cast-offs, certainly not ones at the back end of their career on exorbitant wages.

Otherwise we've learned nothing.

I am sorry but just stop doing this, it's degrading TW and insulting the intelligence of dedicated posters on here who know exactly what they are talking about.

Using the old adage, “If you haven't got anything good to say, say nowt!!!!!!!”

If this is the dirge that is going to be dished up, I'll be absent from here till the new season.

Christy 17. I would take Harrison ahead of J G any day. Harrison is also being played out of position with this utterly stupid idea of putting right or left footed wingers on the opposite side. J H offers a bigger work rate and defensive cover and, he would be more effective if put on the left wing. Why wouldn't you have him instead of J G?

But would Grealish want to join Everton?

Also agree with other posters that there's too much crap content on the site and it's actually off-putting.

Michael was doing a good transfer round up each week which worked well.

Apparently Harry Diamond is Rory McIlroy s best friend and caddy. So we are in illustrious company here boys, TW is only his side project. we are moving up I tells ye!

Paul @ #9
You forgot:

Welsh: Nac oes
Wiganese: Nooooooooooooooooooor
Scouse: F**k Off
Hungarian: Nem
Kenwrightese: Like his acting!

Trevor 25,

Please forgive me my lack of language capabilities, in suggesting we don't sign what is now a has-been.

Even if Citue paid half his wages, that's still £150,000 a week. Surely Richarlson is a better bet.

More shite.

His wage bill makes this a moot point. City aren't going to eat 2/3 to 3/4 of his wages and we can't afford more than that.

Other than that, I'd have liked to have seen him in the middle as an attacker behind Beto with Ndiaye and McNeil on either side of him but no, the wages just make this too cost prohibitive.

Personally, I don't mind subjects like this coming on the site, it's better than leaving match reports up from weeks ago. Also you don't have to read it or get involved.

Regarding Grealish, I'd take him all day long, his wages would have to be seriously reduced and if he could rediscover his Villa or early City form, he'd be a great signing,

Staggered by the apparent consensus on here. I'd take him in a heartbeat.

But I certainly agree that wages etc mean it won't happen.

Paul #22,

We all have opinions, and I'd put Grealish way ahead of Harrison, and Grealish played on the left, also out of position, but a lot more effective.

It probably won't happen anyway..

Yes, of course we should take him...

But it all depends on the deal.

What would certain people like TW to put on here in pre season?

Hardly anything to talk about otherwise.

He's not remotely a Moyes player – and Moyes won't need to do any due diligence thanks to his public non-professional lifestyle

Having said that, how did Shandy Andy get past the fit and proper footballer test?

Christy, to tell you the truth, I wouldn't take either of them.😀

This thread is pointless as we are never going to pay Grealish's salary.

But I can't believe anyone would seriously prefer Jack Harrison, one of worst players I've ever seen in an Everton shirt.

Paul, nice one! 👍

No! He will never be as good as he was...

Mad how people who've watched the dross we've had over the past decade would turn their nose up at Grealish.

He was/is an absolute diamond of a footballer. Without Pep's straight jacket, playing with the freedom he did at Villa, to a packed Bramley-Moore Dock, he would be sensational.

IMO, If we found ourselves in a position to afford him and attract him, we'd be crazy not to.

Paul @34, the kind of stuff that has been put up every close season since the site started 30 years ago. Not nonsense like "The Debate: should Lineker be our new set piece coach".

It's not a debate, it's a desperate attempt to boost revenue and yes, I've been joining in up till now.

Andy #41,

Gary's strength was being on the end of a well delivered set piece. Delivering one... not so much.

He is available though.

FFS... I'm in!

Wrong side of 30, wages are too much???

That's not my problem. I would defently have him. A great player.

Paul #10 - I don't know why I found that so amusing but it tickled me.

Personally I think the chances of him agreeing to come to us are small, the chances of us agreeing a fee with Man City will be smaller, and the chances of us being able to agree terms with the man himself will basically make this a non-starter.

If we can overcome those obstacles, I'd have him in a heartbeat.

John Sellick @ 40: You're proposing the 'Cavalier' - 'wrong but romantic' - view. Moyes I fear will likely be more of the 'Roundhead' - 'right but repulsive', pragmatic tendency.

The chances of Dour Davey seeing Grealish as a 'must have' latter day James Rodriguez are slim to none. Always assuming that the lad himself would take a serious % paycut*

*A thing I can never get my head round, I mean struggling along on £100k a week it's not like – apart from a theoretical mathematical perspective – you or I taking a 50/ 60% drop in income. You're 30+ years old, mate, and on the way down – sorry, but the wages should reflect it.

Nooooooooooplease God no. One of the most overrated players in the Premier League.

He can't beat a man outside, can only pass back or sideways. Ray Wilkins reincarnated.

Delap was a steal for Chelsea at £30M in today's market as I think this lad will do well at a good club. Strange that Chelsea cannot afford all of the fee up front or is there some restriction?

Grealish is not for us but there are others at a decent price and wages who may fit in here.

I think people are kidding themselves. He's a good player and would walk into our side.

Actually he wouldn't, because he wouldn't join with the kind of wages we would offer. And I wouldn't suggest we should offer anything too exceptional for a player approaching 30.

Not sure his style of play would fit in to a Moyes-like team.

He pisses about too much with the ball at his feet, rather than quick decision making and sharp passing.

No way either party would come to terms on wages, but he might just drop his wage demands to go back to his boyhood club.

Andy #14, and it works, it got you to input!

Andy@
41. No I don't want Lineker as our set piece coach.

At Villa, when he gets the ball to his feet, he dictates play and he creates. He can work in tight area which is why Man City paid $100M to get him to unlock defences. I guess the question is whether he would shoulder his defensive work?

He's quality. But I don't think he would suit us. He would think it's a step down and surely it would find him hard to gel with others.

Put alongside Moyes's “characters builds a football club”, I think the answer here is obvious.

We need a pacy wing option for each side. Grealish is a No 10 who has played out of position since leaving Villa.

I wasn't sure whether to comment on this, because I just can't see it happening.

A star at Asto Villa, didn't quite work out at Man City. No shame in that.

I'm not too concerned about wages, that's for the club to decide and negotiate.

I am just struggling to see how he fits in other than providing depth on top of Ndiaye, Alcaraz and McNeil. Maybe not a bad thing. Whether him or someone else, we need it in various areas.

Is he the right sided midfielder we need? I'm unsure, but I wouldn't be disappointed if this rumour (that's all it is), came off.

We'll know more by the end of the month once the remainder of the existing contracts are sorted out either way. That is probably the priority right now, because of the situation the new owners inherited.

I am beginning to get really fed up with the daily news stories of who might be joining the Club. I cannot remember a close season when we needed to recruit so many players and the idea of assembling a squad with a number of no longer wanted star names fills me with horror. One of the Managers characteristics was to follow due diligence of previous transfers, and I truly hope this prevails again.
I am hoping we will see a real process of team building with a balanced squad of players who will spend some years at the Club and become the foundation of future successes. Big shiny cars, and daily headlines in the newspapers are not for me, thank you.

Rumours get clicks David. However, the possibility of a deal for Grealish is total BS and unfeasible, next!

Agree with Danny that he does not play in the position we need to strengthen. Between Alcaraz, Illi and McNeil we have a good core of players there and need 1 to 2 pacy wingers on both sides of the pitch, including an immediate starter on the right side and a rough diamond as a back up option to nurture.

I think he is a good replacement for Doucoure. Would contribute to a interplaying midfield trio which I think is a requirement in a challenging Premier League side. Bet Moyes is biting his lip that such a move would happen.But it is unlikely unless as part of a deal if Man City were after a Everton Player and Grealish would have to agree.

I would now add a caveat that at 29 he would have to come at the right money and wages.He is not being regularly selected for Man City.

David #56

It has always been like this.I use to take a holiday over the Summer and come back the end of August.It is worse this year , because of the 10 day early transfer period and Everton with so many contracts finishing..Clubs are also pulling Players in the shop window via What's App groups , Social Media ,f and favoured Journalist,.i it not just click baiting journalist.

Great player, too risky for Moyes though. McAtee though?

Some amusing comments on here. Fans who have been forced to endure watching Doucourie and Harrison, turning their nose up at one of the most naturally gifted players in the country

I hope Shakira never knocks on their door at around 10.00 pm asking to stay the night, because she'll be getting fucked right off.

Hand of friendship coming over. I agree with Colin. Might be better value elsewhere, but the lad can play.

Colin #60 spot on sir, the same gang that didn't want James.
Would have him here in a heartbeat. But sadly he would not touch us with a bargepole. Dog's of war forever.

Definitely a bad investment.
Has lost any pace he ever had. Looks good on the ball, but tends to get lost in his own dribbling and runs down blind alleys. Rarely tracks back and when he does he tends to give away silly free kicks.
Been living the high life lately where football has now become second choice and doesn't seem that interested when on the pitch.
All in all he's just a has been.

As was scrolling down the comments was going to type a reply but Colin #60 said it better than I ever could.

This lad would get us off our seats and be a fan favourite within 2 games. Unfortunately will not happen due to our financial constraints, he'd be loved here.

Has ToffeeWeb been taken over by Goodison News?

I don't get why so many are suggesting there are to many articles, and the people complaining are amongst the most regular contributors. The Beto v DCL post has been done to death, so what do you want blank pages, or shut down till the new season starts, the Grealish post is probably because the bookies are saying we are favourites to sign him. So it would be pretty strange if there wasnt a post about it.

Has Jack Grealishs talent gone for good ? or is there something wrong at Man City ?
Phil Foden looks a different player from 12 months ago
and you can say that about 3 or 4 other players.
The two centre halves do not look world class anymore
Dias, Akji.
I think Grealish would be on many fans wish list, sadly
I don t believe he would come to Everton.

Geoff (62) That’s the spirit——bring some debate to the thread, I didn’t like James that much more disappointed than excited by him in the long run, wouldn’t want Grealish now, it’s alright talking about his Aston Villa days but they are long gone and his life style has taken something out of him and as most of us know whether he is wanted or not we can’t afford him.

Colin @ 60
Bang on, so to speak lol.
Fuck sake the lads gor more talent on his used bog roll than we have in midfield and upfront.
Grealish or Doucoure.
Hmmmm now let me think !!!!
It is of course a non starter.
The first we cant afford and would have better options available, the latter was good riddance.

We need to look at quality that hasnt been snaffled not superstar superwages, which is just plain stupid.
Thats what makes the difference at basement level.
Picking out gems like Illy.
Not the waves and waves of dross shabby agents have had us over with.

Brian @66,

I don't think TWebbers object to the transfer speculation (it's inevitable) but this tittle-tattle can be found all over NewsNow so why is it posted as news on TW when we have a section designed for Rumours?

Possibly. But then I don't see how Ndiaye, McNeil and Grealish could feature in the same team. There is absolutely no pace there and we are a team that needs some pace to stretch a game.

Beto does this as he stretches the game towards the goal and runs beyond. Ndiaye and Grealish do the opposite and come towards the play.

So, unless intended as a replacement for Ndiaye, I would advise against spending the wages on this move and look elsewhere for a player with pace and an ability to finish or attack the box from midfield.

First of all, I'm not sure what all the tantrums about the new runners of the site and the articles are about. It's a reasonable article, talks about the pros and cons and is far from the copy and paste rubbish on Goodison News. I suspect that old Evertonian trait of an automatic distrust of change is the real reason for the comically over-the-top aggression to the new editors of the site.

Secondly, speculation over Grealish is reasonable to write an article about. I thought a player of his talent who is out of sorts at Man City might work for Everton. Having read the article and considered, however, it would be a No from me.

He is a very good footballer and has had some great games for Man City. Winning the treble is hardly ‘underwhelming', but he has clearly fallen out of favour with Guardiola (I don't use his first name, he's not my mate) and it sounds very much like that's because of his fondness for being, to use Private Eye's famous euphemisms ‘tired and emotional' and for indulging in ‘discussing Ugandan affairs'.

In short, he's a roustabout and it's affecting his game. Lad probably has problems. He seems a nice young man but he's not the brightest button in the box and we have to ask what advice and support is he getting? Either way, I don't think Moyes would have any shrift with him. Plus — Everton can't afford his salary!

I'm saying No, but for slightly different reasons from the majority. There can be no doubt Grealish is a massively talented footballer. It's not his fault that someone paid £100M for him; but the price has always been a millstone around his neck.

With players of this talent, you don't ask: Where would he fit in? You ask: How can we play around him?

I get the impression he has felt like an 'outcast' at Man City for some time. He is effectively being 'dumped' by them and that will give him a burning desire to show them what they are missing.

A talented player with 'something to prove' is always a good investment. Some are saying 'He's the wrong side of 30'... Really?... He's 29!

If he needs a bit of a rocket to show his best form, then being publicly embarrassed by Man City may be it.

But and it's a big 'but'; for me ,the figures just don't add up. The very best we could pay would be half his existing wages, and someone, somewhere will pay more. There is better 'value' to be had elsewhere in the market.

If the figures did stack up, would I have him? Yes.

Last time saw him in person was in Marbella, lying in a gutter.

Nah.

We will be in the loan market, and so there will be a player we will sign that is experienced, has no transfer fee and will need to eat some of the wages on.

Whether it's Grealish, Richarlison or somebody else, we will be using the Harrison, Lindstrom, Mangala, and Broja wages again in this space is my expectation – particularly when £130k Doucoure has left.

I genuinely can not believe the amount of comments dismissing Grealish. He'd walk into our first 11.

I for one would welcome a player of his calibre with open arms.

Nicholas "A talented player with 'something to prove' is always a good investment. Some are saying 'He's the wrong side of 30'... Really?... He's 29!"
Don't bring facts and stats in to the debate Nicholas We don't need talent here just someone to run their socks off and slap the club badge every now and then.

Grealish would indeed walk into our first XI. He’s very good. No doubt about that. He’d be an asset for any Premier League side.

The financials however mean the chance of it happening must be close to 0%.

Finally, it’s hard to see why Grealish would be particularly interested in playing for us. Even if all parties could magic up a deal that worked financially, Grealish will probably have more glamorous offers.

Not dismissing the player - just dismissing the idea.

We cannot compete for him with our financial restrictions so not worth considering.

No for me.

Wages are far too much and, like Dele and Rashford, he's lost his way recently

When I try to think of a Premier League club who would want Grealish and could afford the transfer fee and his wages, none easily spring to mind.

He might move abroad on loan.

A none starter because of the cost.

Andy @41,

As the new editor of TW, I'm happy to hear back feedback and/or content preferences and ideas as I get to grips with a new audience and site.

The Grealish question was asked as Everton are currently joint-favourites with the bookies to sign him. Whether it's feasible or not we will see!

Hoping to keep the community engaged and interested until the real stuff rolls back around...

I've also never caddied...

Don't understand the cost being a non starter. We paid Harrison £90k, Doucoure £130k. Hardly chicken feed.

Chelsea supposedly paid half of Sancho's wages. If city are happy to pay 50% of Grealish, that's £135-150k a week. They could pay more.

I would rather have de Bruyne. Lukaku is the top earner at Napoli on £123K per week. He won’t be getting more than him there. De Bruyne has his family in the North West.

Make it happen DM.

Sure, if the deal is right but doubt it would work. Great player but he’s best off the left which is our strongest position and I’m unsure if we’d have enough money or he’d have a lack of better offers.

Cheers for that, Harry. I had no idea that we were joint favourites to sign Grealish, which indeed makes it worth discussing. (I would love it to happen, by the way.)

To be honest, I am overly defencivee of this site as I've been on it for 27 years, also, unfortunately, I am at the age where I take even the slightest change as a personal affront!!

ToffeeWeb has been a huge positive in my life and, as you can see, my decision to take a break for the summer lasted about 12 hours!

A friend of mine (a Liverpool supporter) wrote a guide to fansites over many years. He, reluctantly, came to the conclusion that ToffeeWeb was best by some distance. So, Harry, apologies for the whinging, welcome and good luck.

Andy @87

You're right to be defensive of the site, it's a great platform and one I'm looking forward to working on!

For context, standalone fan sites are fairly new to me, my experience over the last 10+ years has been multi-club channels, so bear with me!

Looking forward to getting to know the TW regulars.

Harry (83) Welcome to ToffeeeWeb, I've had a go at you on this thread——nevertheless could you give us a brief biography of your personal record as a sporting reporter especially in the football part——thanking you in advance, I'm a very good friend of Michael Kenrick who also works for ToffeeWeb!

Absolutely yes. But I very doubt it'll happen. Too high a wage and would he want to come to Everton? Unlikely I'd imagine.

Quite why nobody wants him is beyond me. Grealish is a fantastic player, way better than anyone in our squad.

He cost about £100m not so long ago. We should snap him up given the chance. All those free kicks in the final third?

I fail to see any downsides.

But it won't happen.

Harry, wishing you all the best, hope you weren't offended when I said you were McIlroy's caddie!

Thanks all.

Dave (89), I've been in the industry for 10+ years, early experience included placements with The Guardian and AFC Fylde in non-league.

For the last seven years, I've been leading the content on The Football Faithful. Our content there goes out to the likes of Livescore, OneFootball and Yahoo Sport. I also published a book late last year under the brand.

Will do my best to bring some exclusives to TW alongside the usual rumour mill stuff and features, though it's getting harder and harder with clubs keeping things more and more in-house!

Any feedback on content the community wants more of will be much appreciated.

Christy Ring (91) Not at all. Maybe I'll know my career has really taken off when I've overtaken his club-carrier on Google!

His talent is undisputed, but, his age (no sell-on if given a decent length contract) and his presumably astronomical wages could create unrest in the dressing room.

Like Narcissus in Greek Mythology, he is in love with his own reflection (even after a dump before flushing lol). Think other younger, cheaper players are priorities.

I feel Grealish is quite misunderstood by the footballing masses. This notion that he's self-obsessed – why? What's that based on exactly? The fact he has long hair and wears an Alice band?

And his age? He's only 29. Footballers are way fitter and play for years past 30 these days. It's an old-fashioned irk to be bothered by a player being 30 or over. Not relevant today. A lot like Everton really. Players play closer to 40 now, not 30.

We should definitely be looking at high-profile players like Grealish. We've got to modernise and act like one of the bigger boys in the playground if we want to get anywhere.

Go for big names, and when they say so, go for more big names. All these years of buying relegated players, losers and unwanteds needs to end.

Grealish will probably end up at a Champions League club anyway (as an unwanted).

He'd be an interesting acquisition, Grealish; a lot to prove to people since his demise at City, wanting to make a case for the World Cup squad. At his best, a very good player who can create something from nothing and turn a game.

We are overloaded in his position though, with Alcaraz, McNeil, Ndiaye. So not an area we are going to spend our limited funds.

Pace on the right wing is a more pressing requirement, alongside another forward, two full-backs….

Harry D, I must admit that I was sceptical when I saw your name. I was thinking "Billy Birmingham, Harry Diamond – who the effing eff is next, Eddie Everton?" My bad.

In answer to your comment above Any feedback on content the community wants more of will be much appreciated, I'd say... encourage regular (or irregular) posters to send articles for publication. That way, it helps everyone to feel included.

The above is just my individual opinion, obviously. Other Blues will have their own take on things, which is exactly as it should be.

James M, regarding your second last paragraph, that is all very well but we have a limited budget (allegedly) and still restricted by PSR and previous profligacy.

Having said that, I have always been a bit of a Luddite and against money buying success and titles. I have a lot more admiration for teams built from grass roots, very rare I must admit these days, as the spend, spend, spend model (regardless) seems to have taken over.

His sell-on value or what he earns isn't something I would fret over. Seeing him playing for us at Bramley-Moore Dock would be something wonderful to look forward to.

Let us enjoy the football and let the owners count the beans.

Derek, I don't trifle myself too much with money or rules. I have a tendency to look at players from the perspective of them as players and human beings.

As Andy alludes to above, the club can deal with PSR on my behalf. I have very little interest in money matters (albeit they're extremely difficult to ignore).

I'd love to see a quality player like Grealish at Everton. And many more like him please.

I have always been a bit of a Luddite (@97)

I'm with you, Derek. The Spinning Jenny is a backward step for honest working folk. We should all get together to form a trades union or somesuch malarkey...

James # 94, we need to modernise and act like one of the bigger boys. I couldn't agree more.

However I do follow football club financials to a point - and especially how that translates to successful squad building.

There is a reason why say the RS have signed Wirtz and not Grealish.

Acting like the big boys these days (even rich as anything City and Chelsea) means bypassing the overheated transfer market and wage demands - and developing young players through youth player trading, academy, affiliate clubs and the loan system.

That's what a big modern club does. We can do a lot of that too. It is a better way for us to build a very high quality squad than spending a few years paying a huge wage to a player on a downward trajectory (which in turn robs us of the kitty to develop a few players who are all on the up).

Kev (96),

I couldn't agree more. I will definitely be encouraging users to submit content to the site as much as possible.

My early experience of TW is that this community is what makes it such a great site.

I guess posts like this one are designed to stir up a bit of debate which is what I think makes TW. Everyone has an opinion and we want to hear them.

Harry (92),

Thanks for your reply — I hope you get a few “Scoops” this pre-season about players coming to Everton. If I hear of any, I will let you know!

Welcome aboard, Harry. We are a tight knit bunch, a bit wary of newcomers tbh. Keep up the good work. The more contributors, the merrier.

As for Jack, if he can straighten his shit out, he'd be a brilliant addition.

Yes, yes, yes.

Colin G, @104,

"As for Jack, if he can straighten his shit out, he'd be a brilliant addition."

What if he did sign, and curled one into the bottom corner? :-)

Not the sharpest tool in the box…if he signed for us, let's hope he's sharper in and around the box!

Jack Grealish is not "An Encyclopedia Of Football"

Harry, maybe also think about linking to some other news not directly linked to Everton but relevant in some way.

We used to have a 'News from Elsewhere' section if I recall where you could put the articles on the Premier League voting to stop teams selling assets to affiliates, or Leicester breaching PSR rules, topics which have been discussed on here before.

Mike @70,

This tittle-tattle can be found all over NewsNow so why is it posted as news on TW when we have a section designed for Rumours?

That would be my intention too, Mike, but there are some layout issues that mean Rumour Mill stories are buried down the homepage. Plus, I think it is important to keep the front face of the website — the lead story — fresh and new, so we have relaxed the rules somewhat as to what constitutes a 'Headline' story.

Eric @108, we do have a 'General' section but, with the current layout and function of the site, it's buried down the homepage and lost in the nested menu items. Plus, as Rob pointed out a while back, for some strange reason, comments on General articles don't appear under 'Recent Comments'.

Consequently, I've been posting General stuff — Champions League, England matches, etc — initially as Editorials, then moving them to 'General' when interest is over.

I'd also like to make the 'Recent Comments' heading click through to a dedicated page that would list the last 50 or 100 posts in full text, with active links to their corresponding threads. I think this would be really useful for people who want to catch up quicky.

Good healthy debate on this thread.

For me its about his mindset and motivation.

In view of his style I think at this stage of his career he may suit Serie A, but his wages will be huge even taking a cut. So it will be interesting to see where he ends up. If Foden was on offer at a good price I'd take him.

I hope David Moyes and his scouts are doing their homework and assessing all options at home and abroad.

Where does he play?

He's a number 10. We have 3 players who can play there.

Grealish isn't a left winger either. Nor right.

He's a player, though.

Can't see it. Move on.

Why do I immediately think of the name Dele Alli when I read about Grealish?

If you think about it, there are a number of similarities. Too much money. Was good but now not playing, so nobody knows if he can still play or even wants to play. Current employer wants to get rid but no-one prepared to pay the exorbitant fee and wages required. Making a loan deal the only viable option but not really advisable. Etc, etc, etc.

Do we really want to get into another Dele situation? I would suggest not, so steer well clear, I say.

Number of reasons why we shouldn't pursue this, the obvious one is his exorbitant wages, and the lad to me looks like he's lost his hunger for the game.

As someone said brilliantly, it's shades of Dele Alli… That said, he'd get us a lot of penalties — the cheating fucker.

Rather than take shots at some of, what appears to be, slapdash writing, I want to engage it hoping to help us all get where would like the site to be. Player evaluation is not a strong point for me as I do not see enough matches to properly measure players' abilities. I am always invested in the group struggle and interplay.

That said, I agree with Laurie 85 and Billy 110, and would prefer speculation on Debruyne and Foden respectively. Both have better character and fight in them, and would likely raise everyone's game and serve as fine lieutenants to the club captain.

With Grealish we don't know. There is obviously some remaining magic to be seen from him but would he be a pitch leader? We all loved James' skills but at times that went to the Eto'aw'oh end of the spectrum, robbing us of some team and system growth.

I don't think he would do a Jack Wilshire here but there would be occasions where his contributions might be dulled by what is needed tactically. Would he take that on as his path to becoming a mainstay to extend his Premier League career?