Jack Grealish showed his most charismatic and compelling side at the Pride of Britain awards last week, presenting a prize to an exceptionally brave child who regards the Everton star as a hero. “Footballers are classed as heroes – but these are the real heroes,” Grealish said, bringing the room to a hushed silence.
The same warmth was on display when he returned to Everton in September, greeted enthusiastically by children waiting outside the club’s Finch Farm training ground alongside his white Lamborghini. “It feels so good. I think I’m at my best at everything in life when I feel loved,” Grealish said, capturing the unmistakable feeling that he had come back home.
Grealish is widely admired at Everton, and it is no exaggeration to say he has a generous spirit. On Thursday, an Everton-supporting father of three, who has been told his cancer may leave him with only weeks to live, revealed that Grealish had donated £10,000 to help him. Yet within hours, another side of the player came into focus when Everton confirmed he would miss the Carabao Cup meeting with Newcastle after failing to report for training the previous week.
It was not an isolated incident. Everton sources say concerns had also emerged last season. Grealish reported ill before the recent match against Arsenal, shortly after attending the Pride of Britain awards, and his unauthorised absence represented a breach of the club’s disciplinary rules. The official explanation for his absence at Arsenal was illness.
Everton’s owners were eager to add Grealish’s profile and glamour after an underwhelming, unambitious summer transfer window. David Moyes accepted his return reluctantly as part of the agreement that saw Iliman Ndiaye leave for Manchester City. The Everton manager needed standards to be high within a small squad, where every player would have an important role. The club’s senior figures were expected to lead by example and inspire the younger members of the team. That is what makes Grealish’s situation such a frustrating waste of potential.
Jack Grealish remains popular at Everton and has shown his generosity by giving £10,000 to a fan battling cancer, but he has now been left out after breaking club rules
Concerns were also raised last season, meaning David Moyes was reluctant to sanction Grealish’s return this summer
Grealish’s inconsistent approach is beginning to show in his performances, with the winger no longer taking on defenders as fearlessly or providing the same spark
YOU MAY ALSO READ: The Messages That Sparked a Bitter Feud Between News24 Stars
In the tradition of British maverick playmakers such as George Best and Alan Hudson, Grealish has the talent to become a modern Goodison Park cult hero. But he has yet to demonstrate that he truly understands the opportunity in front of him. He needs to distance himself from the entourage and distractions that appear to be weighing him down, while learning to reject the next tempting night out. The issue is less about alcohol itself than his attitude towards football and his difficulty in saying no.
His ability has never disappeared. Early last season, Grealish was creating more assists than any other Everton player before a broken foot required surgery and brought his campaign to an untimely close. Those performances offered a reminder of the influential player he can still become.
This season, however, he has yet to register an assist. He may feel let down when chances he creates are not finished, although few wingers can rely on Erling Haaland as a forward partner. Even so, closer inspection suggests his inconsistent commitment is affecting his football. He is not beating opponents with the same regularity and no longer radiates the same threat from the flank. Pep Guardiola recognised that decline during his time at Manchester City and soon made it clear that Grealish was no longer wanted.
At 31, Grealish still has time to become the central figure Everton supporters hope to see. Moyes recognises the talent being squandered and has offered him considerable backing and patience since Manchester City moved him aside, hoping he will grasp what the club can offer. Everton’s impressive Carabao Cup victory over Newcastle has also created the prospect of a memorable cup run, with Fleetwood Town next in the quarter-finals. The club has now gone 31 years without a major trophy.
Everton will hope that the very public nature of Grealish’s omission—an unmistakable sign that Moyes will not overlook another breach—serves as a wake-up call. Even Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who attended Thursday night’s game, has expressed a desire to see Grealish flourish after backing his return to Everton. Having met him at the Pride of Britain awards, Burnham described the player as someone who represents how deeply people can “buy into Everton.”
The goodwill behind Grealish at Everton is unmistakable. The next step, however, can only be taken by him.
READ MORE: No Jack Grealish, no problem: Everton star has let his team-mates down AGAIN and this latest episode shows he lacks the hard graft and humility so desired by David Moyes, writes LEWIS STEELE