Grealish Faces Injury Setback Amidst Promising Loan Spell at Everton

Jack Grealish has experienced a challenging final few months at Manchester City, often finding himself sidelined on the bench as manager Pep Guardiola opted for alternative players. This period of inactivity led to widespread speculation regarding his future, particularly during a season where City struggled with consistency, leaving Grealish largely unused.

His loan to Everton was anticipated as a vital opportunity for rejuvenation. The former Aston Villa forward made a positive impact in the initial half of the season, accumulating two goals and six assists across 20 Premier League appearances and aiding the Toffees in reaching a mid-table position.

However, recent developments have cast a shadow over his progress. Reports indicate that Grealish could face several months on the sidelines due to a foot injury, a prognosis that has since been confirmed by manager David Moyes.

In a pre-match press conference ahead of Everton’s encounter with Leeds United on Monday night, Moyes stated, “It’s not for me to give the timescales and we’ve not had it yet but he’s got a stress fracture in his foot – that’s all I can tell you.”

He continued, “It’s a significant setback because he has been vital to us since the start of the season. He has played an essential role in the team. While we’ve dealt with several injuries, this one is particularly impactful.”

Regarding Grealish’s rehabilitation, Moyes mentioned, “We are in close contact with [parent club] Manchester City, so we will monitor his recovery as we receive further guidance from the specialist.”

This injury poses a considerable challenge for Grealish, who had been showcasing his abilities under Moyes. Everton was steadily accumulating points to distance itself from the relegation zone. Furthermore, this setback jeopardizes his chances of being selected for England’s World Cup squad.

The 39-time capped international has not been utilized by Thomas Tuchel, with his last appearance for the national team occurring in a 3-1 Nations League victory over Finland in October 2024, where he scored the opening goal during Lee Carsley’s interim management. Since that match, other players like Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford have been prioritized over him by Tuchel.

Given his lack of playtime under the former Chelsea and Bayern Munich manager, coupled with his current injury, Grealish is almost certain to be excluded from the squad for the upcoming friendlies against Uruguay and Japan in March. He would need to perform exceptionally upon his return, with limited time remaining in the season, to secure a place on the flight to North America this summer.

While Grealish’s absence is undoubtedly a setback, Moyes has welcomed the return of Africa Cup of Nations champions Idrissa Gana Gueye and Iliman Ndiaye, who have been unavailable since mid-December due to international duty.

Additionally, key squad members Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Jarrad Branthwaite have resumed training following their recoveries, alongside Charly Alcaraz. Moyes remarked, “Jarrad Branthwaite and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall are back in training. However, Kiernan has just returned. Charly Alcaraz is also back in training, so they are certainly progressing towards full fitness.”

Everton will face Leeds on Monday night, having shown decent form with eight points from their last five league matches, including a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Aston Villa in their previous outing.