Grealish for England? Everton Loanee Giving Tuchel a Headache

Jack Grealish 'has helped us an awful lot' - David Moyes

Referee the official had barely sounded the final whistle to seal Everton's last-gasp win over the Eagles when the club updated the profile on their X account.

Below the team's iconic badge were displayed a short phrase: Grealish for England.

It's nearly a year since the attacking midfielder last wore a England shirt in a 3-1 Nations League win over Finland in Helsinki under interim manager the former coach.

It will be some time before the 30-year-old gets the chance to represent his national team again after being left out from the England boss's latest squad for a friendly against the Welsh next Thursday, followed by a qualifying match in the Baltic nation on the 14th of October.

However, one aspect remains perfectly evident: 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 first six Premier League appearances for Everton, the midfielder netted the late winner to seal his team's comeback victory after Dean Henderson had denied Beto from close quarters.

Timed at the 92nd minute, it was the club's most recent home Premier League winning goal since March 2022 against Newcastle - deep into added time.

"Do you know what's mad?" said Grealish, speaking to Sky Sports after the game.

"Our recent matches we've played here we've been drawing and I've said to myself in the closing stages, 'push yourself, go and score. Think about scoring a late goal'.

"I thought it against Villa, and I failed to find the net. I said it against the Hammers and I couldn't convert.

"This time, I really thought the exact words again and I scored. I sprinted towards where my parents were, so it was special."

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'Not playing for England isn't deep'

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

He will be ineligible to face his owning team City when Everton return to action after the fixture pause on 18 October.

It's 249 days before the kickoff of the World Cup. Will Grealish be included on the national team flight?

"You know what?" he shared with BBC Radio 5 Live after the Palace game, "I don't think as deep as people make out."

"At the end of the day, you want to play for the England side but people are doing well in my position. I'm also performing also, but the people selected last month did exceptionally in the recent matches so I accept that with me.

"The coach makes the choices and I completely understand that."

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

However, ex-international Wayne Rooney informed the media that Grealish's form for Everton will be creating the England boss a "selection problem".

"All Jack can do is continue performing what he is achieving, obviously scoring a goal today," commented Rooney, who scored over fifty strikes in more than a hundred games for England.

"I believe if he maintains that he will be in contention come the tournament.

"Should he feature, his talent will show, so I'm confident he'll be giving the England manager a dilemma."

'In the right place'

Jack Grealish in action for Everton

Jack Grealish featured in seven top division matches last season - he's started six since moving to Goodison Park in the summer.

The England manager maintains the opportunity exists for the playmaker, who has numerous international appearances and several strikes for his country, in terms of the global competition next season.

"There is always a route back into the squad," the national team coach stated on last week.

"Jack knows that I recognize how influential he is for the team and that he is on his way to be the top form of himself."

During his several league games since joining on a season-long loan from Manchester City, he has played 556 minutes, had multiple contributions, set up numerous opportunities and had 10 shots.

"He's been excellent again," said manager the coach after his side's first win since late August.

"I have been pushing him to get goals. He is always in the right place.

"The winger's cross was incredible and the forward should have buried it. But Grealish is positioned well to get the goal."

The manager revealed the player had missed training during the week because of a slight issue, noting: "He has had to miss the occasional session of training but he is doing a many good things."

The midfielder was not the sole individual left out from the manager's England squad who succeeded to score this weekend.

The forward netted again for the Spanish giants - although they were defeated four-one at their opponents - while Mason Mount scored in Manchester United 2-0 win over Sunderland on the weekend.

Sean Daniels
Sean Daniels

A seasoned financial analyst with over a decade of experience in wealth management and investment strategies.