Wayne Rooney offered a glimpse of how Jack Grealish is feeling after his impressive start to his Blues career
The former Everton, Manchester United and England star speaks on The Wayne Rooney Show
The former Everton, Manchester United and England star speaks on The Wayne Rooney Show
Wayne Rooney said Jack Grealish is rekindling his love of football through his blistering start to life at Everton. The attacking midfielder has notched up four assists in his opening three Premier League matches - leading to him being shortlisted for the player of the month accolade.
He ended the last game, the 3-2 win at Wolves, wrapped in the arms of the away end and appears to have enjoyed his first weeks on Merseyside.
Rooney certainly understands that to be the case - and is in a good position to know given that he was a guest at Grealish's 30th birthday party at the weekend.
"It was a good night, a really good night," he said on his BBC podcast, The Wayne Rooney Show, though he declined to reveal the guest list or any stories from the celebration.
Rooney did make clear, however, that the Manchester City loanee is in a good place right now after a tough year in which he fell out of favour at the Etihad.
Rooney said: "Do you know what, Jack's a really kind-hearted person and I don't think that comes across as much as it probably should. He's got a big heart, he's very respectful, and I think not playing at Manchester City, it was very difficult for him; I know it was.
"But going to Everton, he's at a club where he's going to get the time and space to enjoy his football and he's started very well and hopefully that continues."
Grealish was able to host a birthday party because he missed out on selection for Thomas Tuchel's England team, who laboured to a 2-0 win over Andorra on the same day.
Should he continue his form for Everton, starting against Aston Villa when the Premier League resumes this weekend, Grealish may well be in contention when the next international break comes around in October.
He has impressed David Moyes, who said of his impact after the win at Molineux: "It's nothing to do with me, let me tell you, it's all to do with Jack and his own mentality to be better... there's a wee bit to prove, I'm sure.
"I think we all have, I think in life you've always got to keep something you have to strive to do and I think Jack wants to show that he's a good player.
"I think he's showing it at the moment, I think some of his football has been really good.
"The biggest compliment I can probably give him is he's better than I thought he was. He's so good."
According to Rooney, the first step is for him to just be playing regularly - which he has a chance of under Moyes.
Rooney said: "He is a very gifted player, he is a little bit different to what England have, so you just hope he gets back in the squad - looking at [the Andorra match] I'm sure there is a possibility of that.
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"He is just getting back playing and enjoying his football, that is the main thing for him."