Jack Grealish was an instant fan favourite from the moment pen was put to paper, but following the long-term foot stress fracture, Everton have been adapting effectively.
The 30-year-old is currently on a season-long loan at the Blues, and many of us Evertonians may question whether a permanent move is necessary.
The winger suffered the injury during the 1-0 win over former club Aston Villa back in January, and has since had surgery.
Before the setback, Grealish claimed two goals and six assists for the Toffees, and won the Premier League Player of the Month for August after an immediate impact. It was an incredible introduction to life on Merseyside, with the Englishman even being in contention for a spot in the World Cup squad this summer.
The rehabilitation process means Everton will be without Grealish for the foreseeable future, forcing Moyes to turn to other options, including Dwight McNeil, Tyrique George and, less frequently, Tyler Dibling.
The Glaswegian’s tendency to restrict youngsters’ playtime has meant that, for the majority of fixtures, McNeil has been given the nod. There is no doubt that George, if his loan move is made permanent, and Dibling are viewed as part of the Toffees’ long-term project, but their lack of chances this season could raise questions about their future at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Do the numbers make sense for Everton and Jack Grealish?
Grealish’s contract has a £50M option to buy but with the current state of the squad, and other priorities on the transfer list, perhaps a permanent move is not the route to go down.
Few would expect Everton to meet that asking price, but even a reduced fee represents risk. Not least due to the wages of Grealish, who turns 31 in September. Everton are reportedly currently covering around 75% (£225k) of his £300k-a-week wages.
Tyler Dibling is contracted to the Toffees until 2029, and Tyrique George’s loan from Chelsea contains a £25M buy option, on which a decision is still to be made.
Grealish’s age makes his permanent signing short-termism, at a time when Moyes has made frequent reference to the long-term transitional project at Everton.
“This club is too big, too strong a football club. It shouldn't have been in that (relegation) position. We've got to keep growing,” the Scot said recently.
If growth is the objective, Moyes must place trust in youngsters to lead the Toffees for the future. If Everton can be in contention for Europe without Jack Grealish, it could be argued that there is no point splashing the cash for someone whose returns may soon diminish.
There will be plenty of alternatives available, both within the current squad and with the summer transfer window coming up. There is an opportunity to improve the squad with the right deals. The Toffees’ future is bright, and it does not need to come at a superstar price tag.
Reader Comments (30)
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2 Posted 08/05/2026 at 15:21:46
1. Money. Too much money demanded, too high wages.
2. Does not contribute enough with goals or assist.
3. Age
4. Does not defend enough.
5. Not wanted by Manchester City. Why would we take what they don't want?
If we could get him on the cheap, and the salary would be reasonable, I could see him in the club next season.
Otherwise, No.
3 Posted 08/05/2026 at 16:47:09
4 Posted 08/05/2026 at 16:50:12
He has shown his flair, his passion for the club, and his affinity for the fans, and he has produced on the pitch.
Absolutely bring him back, if there's a fiscally rational way to do it.
5 Posted 08/05/2026 at 16:51:55
But his wages would be the issue in my opinion, as it will probably be his last contract.
6 Posted 08/05/2026 at 17:09:10
He's not and he doesn't.
Anywhere near reasonable wages and it's a no-brainier to ask for another loan. The kid wants to be here, he won't get a game at Man City. Will they want that unhappy player on the training ground?
7 Posted 08/05/2026 at 17:12:32
We need him and have badly missed his game management.
8 Posted 08/05/2026 at 17:54:36
Jack's not getting any younger, can't run much, but still has a lot of quality on the ball. Gets injured quite a lot though and has missed a lot of games the last few years.
Seems a nice lad tbf and clearly likes a good time.
9 Posted 08/05/2026 at 18:28:42
I would also add that, if you support Everton and you don't want to watch Grealish play football, then you are the victim of being brainwashed into watching footballers who are half-arsed like Barry.
You have forgotten it's called The Beautiful Game for a reason. Grealish is still one of the best footballers in England and he wants to play for us. Wake up and smell the coffee
10 Posted 08/05/2026 at 18:49:23
As long as he takes care of himself, it seems a good move to have him back. At least with another ball carrier, it makes us less predictable in attack. Game management, mentioned by Steve, is also a key consideration.
11 Posted 08/05/2026 at 19:09:39
His football intelligence his above anything else we have and the fact opposing teams have to mark him with two players is a plus.
Get him a flying left-back alongside him and let him drift about inside.
12 Posted 08/05/2026 at 19:35:30
I may be wrong but I thought it was a development of the Bosman rule...
13 Posted 08/05/2026 at 20:13:04
Every time he receives the ball in a break, he stops, the defence gets back and nothing comes from it.
14 Posted 08/05/2026 at 20:24:05
It's on Jack: Does he want to play while he still has something to offer? Or is he just out to maximise his wages?
If it's the latter, I can see him seeing out his city contract and going to the MLS with his Louis Vuitton slippers on for a couple of years.
15 Posted 08/05/2026 at 20:45:36
We are another level with him. No-brainer.
16 Posted 08/05/2026 at 20:48:40
Develop Dibling as a left-winger and sign Sorba Thomas from Stoke instead... cheaper option than Jack and a couple of years younger too!!
17 Posted 08/05/2026 at 22:26:54
18 Posted 08/05/2026 at 22:50:52
I hope the club see sense and... if they really feel they have to (rolls eyes)... only go for a 1-year loan.
19 Posted 09/05/2026 at 01:21:02
[Obviously I mean FIFA 98 on PlayStation.😀]
20 Posted 09/05/2026 at 05:14:05
And then, he will come out with statements like ‘we are a bit short on players'. Yeah, that's because you will play your favourites until they break down.
21 Posted 09/05/2026 at 06:55:24
Do we just put them out on the wing they don't prefer, or do we resurrect McNeil's transfer and send George back to Chelsea and then ask the question of who was responsible for bringing these players in and how many does the squad require, or is it that thing about camels and committees?
Or perhaps we can find an overlapping right-back who can do that without there being a right-winger.
Do we have anyone with a cunning plan?
22 Posted 09/05/2026 at 08:02:17
When he plays, he occupies 2 defenders, which creates space for others (like Ndiaye, who also occupies 2 defenders).
23 Posted 09/05/2026 at 08:29:18
Grealish is getting on a bit and I'd only take another loan.
24 Posted 09/05/2026 at 09:08:27
He does slow the game down, but at times when it is needed, it could be vital to retain the points. Monday a classic example of needing someone to buy a foul and run the clock down.
His goal & assists are amongst the highest in the Premier league per 90 minutes, and he wants to play for us, in a side that is still short of goals.
The choice seems to pay another £225k a week, which is broadly £10m for the season, or keep Mcneil who is worth £17m or so and paid £2m a season. They arent mutually exclusive, but I don't see the point in both, when we need more pace in the squad.
Id go with the former, and use the £9m odd left over to put against Tyrique George or someone else good enough to replace Grealish in 12-24 months time.
Mcneil has had his chance. He is in his prime vs the other players mentioned, but like a couple of others in the squad, he is never going to propel us into the top 6 or later stages of cups.
Id be smart on Grealish. I think we will end up bidding against ourselves if we arent careful, like Sigurdsson from Swansea.
25 Posted 09/05/2026 at 09:24:23
26 Posted 09/05/2026 at 11:52:02
The ability to consistently pass accurately, draw opponents in, is worth the price.
27 Posted 09/05/2026 at 15:30:22
Hopefully we'll be in Europe and marquee names and players will be important moving forward.
28 Posted 12/05/2026 at 19:21:35
He only plays aged players: Tarkowski, Keane. Gueye, Coleman, McNeil...
29 Posted 12/05/2026 at 20:35:02
When a player goes on loan, the club that loans him usually gets a loan fee. Didn't Everton have to pay a loan fee or was it we just paid a proportion of his wages?
Because of Jack's injury, we never got much out the deal even if we only had to pay those wages, around £11M for 22 games — £500k per game — do we get anything back from insurance?
30 Posted 12/05/2026 at 21:39:53
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1 Posted 08/05/2026 at 15:18:35
So how about another loan and a deal with Grealish to sign with reduced wages but a signing on fee in lieu of the transfer fee at the end of it?
If Man City will go for it. If Grealish will also. If our recruitment team think it's a way forward. If Ndiaye accepts he'll have to play second fiddle out on the right.
If it comes down to the question of one or the other, who is it? Grealish or Ndiaye? Or even A N Other?