David Moyes has been a breath of fresh air on Merseyside since he returned for his second spell as Everton boss in January.
The Blues lost 1-0 against Leeds United on the opening day of the season, but have since gone on to win both their subsequent league matches, leaving Everton fifth in the league table heading into the international break.
Moyes has bolstered his squad significantly throughout the summer – German midfielder Merlin Rohl arrived at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on deadline day, only days after Tyler Dibling signed from Southampton.
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For the first time in years, Everton boast a plethora of top-quality options across the pitch, and the feeling around the blue half of Merseyside is that the Blues will finally kick on in the Premier League this season after dealing with constant relegation battles.
David Moyes looks on before a Premier League clash between Leeds and Everton
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
And now, Moyes has been informed that one of his summer signings has the potential to be even better than cult-hero James Rodriguez.
Jack Grealish can be the new James Rodriguez at Everton
The Athletic has compiled a list of Premier League players with intriguing plotlines for supporters to monitor as the season progresses.
Jack Grealish’s arrival from Manchester City became one of the hottest talking points of the summer transfer window as the 29-year-old looks to resurrect his career, and he allegedly has all the makings to exceed Rodriguez’s legacy at Everton.
“Four assists in three games and a new hairstyle to boot, Jack Grealish loves being an Everton player, and the fans are besotted with him. Is he their new James Rodriguez? Maybe he’s even better. After Everton’s 3-2 win over Wolves, David Moyes said that Grealish is even better than he expected him to be.
“Grealish’s past struggles for minutes at City already look so far behind him. He is leading by example for Everton and will be back in thousands of fantasy football teams because of it. Grealish looks like Grealish again.
Jack Grealish of Everton celebrates the second goal during the Premier League match between Everton and Brighton & Hove Albion at Hill Dickinson Stadium
Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images
“Having achieved what he has in his career at nearly 30, he doesn’t need to prove anything but looks hungry to make a statement at the Hill Dickinson Stadium and get back in the England frame.”
Indeed, Grealish’s signing has sparked excitement among the Everton faithful, as the squad has been lacking a leading talisman for years.
The Englishman has hit the ground running at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, and despite Rio Ferdinand’s criticism of Grealish, the creative spark that he brings to the Blues is undeniable.
When Rodriguez signed on the dotted line in 2020, it sent shockwaves through world football. A club of Everton’s stature, or anyone’s stature for that matter, should never have been in a position to pry such a talented player out of Real Madrid, but that is exactly what former boss Carlo Ancelotti achieved.
Ultimately, Rodriguez was forced out of Everton by Rafa Benitez, one of many catastrophic errors made by the former Liverpool manager during his spell at Goodison Park, but this time around, the sentiment surrounding Grealish is far more positive.
How do Jack Grealish and James Rodriguez compare?
During Rodriguez’s sole campaign with the Blues, Grealish captained Aston Villa throughout the 2020/21 season, with his performances earning him a £100 million move to Man City.
Rodriguez, 34, led Everton to a tenth-place league finish as he helped unlock the best form out of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who scored 16 league goals that year, a feat he has been unable to match since.
Rank (2020/21 season) Player Appearances Goals Assists G+A Total
1. Jack Grealish 26 6 10 16
2. James Rodriguez 23 6 4 10
Statistics provided by FBref.
However, Rodriguez’s goal contributions only matched the number of assists Grealish delivered that season as he was far and away one of, if not the, most exciting English talents that year.
And considering Grealish has already matched Rodriguez’s assist tally at Everton in two outings this season, he will undoubtedly have a more productive year for the Blues should he sustain this rich vein of form.