Grealish's England Hopes? Toffees Loanee Giving Tuchel a Headache

'Grealish has contributed enormously' - David Moyes

Match official Michael Salisbury had barely sounded the final whistle to confirm Everton's dramatic late win over the Eagles when the club updated the bio on their social media.

Underneath the club's famous badge appeared three words: Grealish for England.

It is almost a year since Jack Grealish last wore a England shirt in a 3-1 Nations League win over Finland in Helsinki under caretaker manager Lee Carsley.

It will be while longer before the veteran player receives the chance to play for his national team again after being omitted from the England boss's latest squad for a friendly against the Welsh next midweek, followed by a World Cup qualifier in Latvia on 14 October.

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

After providing several key passes in his initial half-dozen Premier League appearances for the Blues, Grealish netted the 93rd-minute winner to secure his team's comeback victory after the Palace keeper had saved Beto from close quarters.

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

"Do you know what's mad?" remarked the star, in an interview with broadcasters after the game.

"Our recent matches we've played here we've been tied and I've said to myself in the closing stages, 'push yourself, go and score. Imagine if you scored now'.

"I said it against Aston Villa, and I didn't score. I said it against the Hammers and I didn't score.

"This time, I really thought the exact words again and I scored. I ran to where my parents were, so it was special."

  • Late Grealish strike for Everton ends Crystal Palace unbeaten run
  • 'Better than I thought' - the manager praises unpredictable the attacker after win

'Not playing for England isn't deep'

The weekend's game was Grealish's last for three weeks - having only recently to put together six successive league starts for the initial occasion in nearly two and a half years.

He is ineligible to face his parent club City when his loan side resume play after the international break on 18 October.

There are 249 days before the kickoff of the global tournament. Will Grealish be on board the national team flight?

"You know what?" he told the radio station after the Crystal Palace game, "it's not as deep as people make out."

"Ultimately, you want to play for the national team but people are performing strongly in my position. I'm doing well also, but the people selected previously did exceptionally in the two games so that's fine with me.

"That's the manager's decision and I fully respect that."

Grealish added: "I'm focused on playing for Everton because that's who put their trust in me and believed in me, so I'm thoroughly loving it here."

But, ex-international Wayne Rooney informed BBC Sport that the player's performances for Everton will be creating the England boss a "selection problem".

"All Jack can do is keep doing what he is doing, clearly scoring a goal today," commented the pundit, who scored over fifty strikes in more than a hundred games for the national team.

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

"Should he feature, his talent will show, so I'm sure he'll be posing the England manager a headache."

'In the right place'

The midfielder in action for Everton

The attacker featured in several Premier League matches last season - he's begun six since moving to Goodison Park in the summer.

Tuchel maintains the opportunity exists for the playmaker, who has 39 caps and four goals for his country, in terms of the World Cup next season.

"There is always a way back into the squad," the national team coach stated on last week.

"He is aware that I see how impactful he is for Everton and that he is on his path to be the top form of himself."

During his seven league games since joining on a temporary deal from City, he has played 556 minutes, had multiple contributions, created 17 chances and had 10 shots.

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

"I've been pushing him to get goals. He is Johnny-on-the-spot.

"Iliman Ndiaye's cross was incredible and the forward should have scored. But Jack is in and around to get the goal."

Moyes revealed the player had skipped training during the week because of a minor injury, adding: "He's needed to miss the occasional session of training but he is doing a many good things."

Grealish was not the only player excluded from the manager's national squad who succeeded to find the net this weekend.

The forward netted again for Barcelona - although they were beaten 4-1 at their opponents - while Mason Mount scored in Manchester United 2-0 win over the Black Cats on the weekend.

Steve Miller
Steve Miller

A passionate traveler and writer sharing experiences from journeys across the UK and beyond.