Grealish's England Hopes? Toffees Loanee Providing England Manager a Selection Dilemma

'Grealish has contributed enormously' - Everton Boss

Referee Michael Salisbury had only just sounded the final whistle to seal Everton's last-gasp win over Crystal Palace when the club updated the bio on their social media.

Below the club's famous badge were displayed a short phrase: England Needs Grealish.

It is almost a year since Jack Grealish last wore a England shirt in a three-one international win over the Finns in Helsinki under interim manager the former coach.

And it will be some time before the veteran player receives the chance to play for his national team again after being left out from the England boss's latest squad for a exhibition match against Wales next midweek, followed by a qualifying match in the Baltic nation on the 14th of October.

However, one aspect remains perfectly evident: Grealish is doing everything he can to force his way into Tuchel's plans for the upcoming World Cup.

After providing several key passes in his first six Premier League appearances for Everton, the midfielder scored the late winner to secure his team's comeback victory after Dean Henderson had saved the striker from point-blank range.

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

"Do you know what's mad?" said the star, speaking to broadcasters after the game.

"The last games we've played here we've been drawing and I've said to myself in the closing stages, 'come on Jack, go and score. Think about scoring a late goal'.

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

"This time, I really thought the same thing again and I scored. I ran to where my mum and dad were, so it was special."

  • Late Grealish strike for the Toffees ends Crystal Palace unbeaten run
  • 'Exceeding expectations' - the manager lauds maverick the attacker after win

'England omission not a big deal'

The weekend's game was the midfielder's last for a few weeks - having only recently to string together six straight Premier League starts for the initial occasion in almost 30 months.

He is not allowed to face his owning team City when Everton resume play after the fixture pause on October 18.

It's over eight months before the start of the World Cup. Will Grealish be on board the England plane?

"You know what?" he shared with BBC Radio 5 Live after the Palace game, "it's not as deep as people make out."

"At the end of the day, you want to play for the national team but people are performing strongly in my position. I'm doing well also, but the players picked last month did really well in the recent matches so that's fine with me.

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

Grealish 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."

But, ex-international Wayne Rooney informed BBC Sport that the player's performances for the Merseysiders will be giving Tuchel a "headache".

"All Jack can do is continue performing what he is achieving, clearly getting a goal today," said Rooney, who scored over fifty strikes in 120 appearances for England.

"I'm sure if he maintains that he will be there or thereabouts come the tournament.

"If Jack plays, his ability will show, so I'm confident he'll be giving the England manager a dilemma."

'In the right place'

The midfielder 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 insists the door remains open for Grealish, who has 39 caps and four goals for his country, in terms of the World Cup next summer.

"There is always a way back into the squad," the England boss stated on Friday.

"Jack knows that I recognize how impactful he is for Everton and that he is on his path to be the best version of himself."

During his several league games since joining on a season-long loan from City, he has logged 556 minutes, had five goal involvements, created numerous opportunities and had several attempts.

"Jack's done great again," remarked Everton boss David Moyes after his side's first win since late August.

"I have been urging him to score more. He is Johnny-on-the-spot.

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

The manager disclosed the player had skipped training during the week because of a slight issue, adding: "He has had to miss the odd day of training but he is doing a many good things."

Grealish was not the only player excluded from the manager's England squad who succeeded to score this round of fixtures.

The forward scored once more for the Spanish giants - although they were defeated four-one at their opponents - while Mason Mount got a goal in Manchester United victory over Sunderland on the weekend.

Rebecca Peters
Rebecca Peters

Tech enthusiast and writer with a passion for exploring how emerging technologies shape our future.