Jack Grealish Targets Everton Revival After Disrupted Manchester City Exit

Jack Grealish is working towards full match sharpness at Everton after a disrupted year that included foot surgery, limited pre-season minutes at Manchester City and a late arrival on Merseyside. The 31-year-old has made four appearances since returning to the Toffees and remains without a goal in 2026-27, but there is confidence that a more influential role will follow after the international break.

Everton offer Grealish a fresh opportunity

Grealish is in the last 12 months of the Manchester City contract he signed after his £100 million British-record move from Aston Villa in 2021. He will spend that remaining period playing for Everton, where David Moyes has welcomed back a player who had begun to rediscover his best form before injury interrupted last season.

His 2025-26 campaign ended suddenly after he damaged his foot against Aston Villa, the club he left for City. The issue required an operation. Although he briefly returned to the Etihad Stadium, Grealish did not establish a clean break under Enzo Maresca following the managerial change at City.

At Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium, Grealish is being given greater licence to create and attack. The Toffees hope that freedom can bring out the qualities that made him one of English football’s most expensive players, while a successful season could open discussions over a permanent arrangement for 2027-28.

A decorated City spell with unfinished business

Grealish won the Premier League and Champions League as part of Manchester City’s Treble-winning side. However, his time under Pep Guardiola was often viewed as restrictive for a player whose game had previously been built on individual invention, carrying the ball and taking risks in the final third.

• Grealish joined Manchester City from Aston Villa for £100 million in 2021.
• He has earned 39 England caps.
• He scored twice in 22 matches during the injury-hit 2025-26 season.
• He has played four times for Everton in 2026-27 and is awaiting his first goal.

There had been suggestions that Grealish could leave English football, with clubs in MLS and the Saudi Pro League linked with a move. Instead, he has remained in the Premier League and returned to the club where he had previously impressed.

Late move and a gradual return to fitness

Everton were content for the deal to be completed near the end of the transfer window, with conversations taking place between the club, City and the player. The timing also meant Everton did not take on two additional months of wages before Grealish joined the squad.

Former Everton defender Alan Stubbs believes the winger’s initial impact last term demonstrated why Moyes wanted him back. Stubbs said Grealish had been “excellent” in the early part of that season and had stood out for his quality before the foot problem affected both player and club.

Stubbs also acknowledged that Grealish arrived short of the conditioning Moyes would ideally have wanted, having played little during City’s pre-season. He has begun to feature over the last two matches, but has looked understandably rusty while seeking competitive rhythm.

International break could aid Everton’s plan

The current pause in fixtures is expected to help Grealish build fitness and sharpen his game. Stubbs expects Everton supporters to see more of him once domestic action resumes, with the winger set for an important run of matches in the weeks ahead.

For Moyes, the task is to turn Grealish’s encouraging earlier Everton spell into a sustained contribution. If he can stay fit and regain his decisive edge, the Toffees could benefit not only over the rest of this campaign but potentially for several seasons beyond it.