Everton were right about Grealish

Abandoned by Man City and forgotten by England, Jack Grealish is finding himself again at Everton.

Two starts, four assists - that number says it all about the 29-year-old midfielder's spectacular revival. Just looking at the way Grealish left Molineux on the afternoon of August 30, amid a wave of boos from the stands, is enough to see how well he has done.

The whistles aimed at the former Aston Villa captain did not deter Grealish, but instead became the catalyst for a transformative performance. Everton beat Wolves 3-2, but above all, this match marked a turning point for the 29-year-old midfielder - a player who seemed to have hit rock bottom at Man City.

From outcast to guide

In the last two seasons at Etihad, Grealish was incredibly lackluster: each season he only had 1 assist despite being given 20 appearances. Pep Guardiola gradually lost patience, turning him into a luxury reserve.

The climax was when England manager Thomas Tuchel left him out of the squad just a day before the game against Wolves. At 29, Grealish faced a harsh crossroads: continue to fade into obscurity, or explode to regain his footing.

Everton and David Moyes gave him a chance, and after just two starts Grealish proved he was no longer a liability. Two assists in the win over Brighton, two more and a key move for Ndiaye’s goal at Wolves. Four assists in 163 minutes at Goodison Park – twice as many as he had in two years at Man City – was enough to rewrite the story.

Grealish has had 4 assists in Everton's shirt.

Against Wolves, Grealish was more than just a winger. He dictated the game from the flanks, signalling positioning to his teammates, urging pressing and constantly finding space to combine. It was the image of a player who craved centrality, rather than the lazy, passive look he had under Guardiola.

In the 7th minute, Grealish jumped high to head the ball back to Beto to open the scoring - a move that showed both vision and determination. In the 34th minute, after a series of exchanges with Dewsbury-Hall, he slipped through for Senegalese newcomer Ndiaye to score, making it 2-1. And the climax came in the 55th minute: he sprinted to meet Gueye's pass, then made a delicate touch for Dewsbury-Hall to unleash an unstoppable left-footed shot.

All of these moments in 90 minutes showed Grealish reborn. A player once criticized for being “only good at partying” is now Everton’s biggest inspiration.

When numbers speak

Four assists in three games, including two consecutive “set-ups” for teammates - Grealish became the first Everton player to do so in the Premier League. The comparison becomes even more obvious when placed next to the dry statistics from the last two seasons at Man City: 40 games in total, 2 assists.

More than just scoring goals, Grealish also brings positive energy to Everton. His understanding with Dewsbury-Hall, his ability to link up with Beto and Ndiaye, plus his desire to prove himself, are turning him into a new pillar for the Merseyside blue team.

Everton now have a hungry Grealish, and that could be the catalyst for the team to avoid the prospect of relegation like last season.

David Moyes must have breathed a sigh of relief that his loan investment from Man City turned out to be a sound one. Everton now have a hungry Grealish, and that could be the catalyst to avoid the relegation struggle of last season.

For Grealish, this journey of revival also carries a deeper message: he is not finished. A star’s career is not only measured by transfer value or minutes played at a big club, but also by the ability to bounce back when underestimated.

From being sidelined by Pep Guardiola, to being forgotten by the England team, Grealish chose to respond on the pitch - with specific assists, with a clear influence on the playing style.

Thomas Tuchel may have thought Grealish was no longer worthy of playing for England. But if the 29-year-old continues his form, he will be forced to reconsider ahead of the World Cup. A free-flowing, creative and re-energised Grealish at Everton could be the difference-maker England are missing.

At Molineux, as he left the pitch to a chorus of whistles, Grealish smiled. Because more than anyone, he understood that he was entering a new chapter of his career - a chapter in which he was the one to write. And if he continues to write with performances like these, Grealish will not only save his personal reputation, but also ignite Everton's ambitions.

In short, the win over Wolves was more than just three points for Everton. It was confirmation: Jack Grealish is back.

Source: https://znews.vn/everton-da-dung-ve-grealish-post1581456.html