Jack Grealish
Jack Grealish, despite being sidelined due to a significant foot injury, remains a crucial part of the Everton team. The 30-year-old playmaker, who sustained a stress fracture in his left foot, has been undergoing rehabilitation following surgery last month. While he is currently in the early stages of recovery and wearing a protective boot, his impact at the club’s Finch Farm training ground is still being felt.
David Moyes said: “He’s really popular as you can imagine.”
Grealish has not featured for Everton since leading them to a 1-0 victory against Aston Villa, one of his former clubs, on January 18. After that match, he informed the club staff about the pain in his foot, which was later diagnosed as a stress fracture. This injury, coupled with a calf issue, led to the decision for him to undergo surgery. The news was a significant blow to Everton and manager Moyes, as Grealish had been a key player in their quest for progress. His contributions included late winners against Crystal Palace and Bournemouth, and his presence was instrumental in other major victories, such as the win at Manchester United in November.
The injury has not only affected Everton’s plans but also dashed Grealish’s hopes of playing in the World Cup. Despite these setbacks, Grealish has remained positive, sharing an image from his hospital bed with a hopeful message about focusing on recovery. Before his injury, there was optimism that Manchester City, his parent club, might be open to a permanent transfer for less than the £50 million option in his loan deal. However, his injury and City’s acquisition of Antoine Semenyo in January have complicated matters.
Moyes has expressed interest in retaining Grealish, viewing him as symbolic of Everton’s ambitions to climb the Premier League ranks. However, any potential deal would depend largely on Grealish, whose wages at City are beyond Everton’s reach. His recovery will be a critical factor in these discussions. Despite the uncertainty surrounding his long-term future, Grealish remains with Everton, contributing to the team off the pitch.
David Moyes said: “Yeah, he’s really popular as you can imagine, very popular.”
Moyes also noted that Grealish is progressing in his rehabilitation, moving towards resuming training activities in the swimming pool. His continued influence and popularity at Everton underscore his importance to the squad, even as he navigates this challenging period.