The summer of 2025 was a significant one for Everton. David Moyes’ side moved into their new stadium on Bramley Moore Docks, and are yet to lose in the Hill Dickinson Stadium. Some of their new signings this summer have already made a real impression.
In particular, one of the standouts has been Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. The former Leicester City star joined from Chelsea and has gone on to make seven appearances so far for the Merseysiders. Operating as a number ten, the 27-year-old has one goal and one assist in the Premier League so far.
Everton's Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall
Dewsbury-Hall is not the only new signing flying under Moyes, with Jack Grealish in sparkling form.
What Grealish has said about working under Moyes
After joining Everton on a season-long loan from Manchester City this summer, Grealish has shown the kind of form that earned him the £100m move to the Etihad Stadium four years ago.
He has been sensational under Moyes so far.
Everton star Jack Grealish
In a recent interview with Sky Sports, the 30-year-old gave his new manager plenty of credit for how well he’s playing.
Grealish said his form is thanks to the Scot “for giving me that platform to go and play the way I've been playing.” The attacker went on to explain that Moyes says, “when you get the ball just go and do what you want to do.”
Well, that seems to be working perfectly for the former Aston Villa star. He’s already assisted four goals and scored once in seven Premier League games under Moyes, playing 90 minutes five times and 88 minutes once.
David-Moyes-Everton-Grealish
The England international has put in some huge contributions, too. His first goal in that famous Blue shirt came last weekend, in the 93rd minute, to secure all three points against Crystal Palace.
He also assisted both goals in a 2-0 home win over Brighton and set up two more away to Wolves in a 3-2 win.
Yet, there is no guarantee that Grealish will stay at the club beyond this summer. He’s only at the club on a season-long loan, and whilst there is a £50m buy option, there is no saying Everton will trigger it.
Whatever Grealish’s future may be, the Toffees have a youngster in the academy who could be seen as the homegrown version of their number 18.
Everton’s homegrown Grealish
Over the years, there have been some iconic footballers to have played in Everton’s academy. Of course, the most famous has to be Wayne Rooney, an academy graduate who went on to become one of the Premier League’s all-time greats.
Well, representing the Toffees in their academy now is 17-year-old winger Justin Clarke. The former AFC Wimbledon star has already played professional football, making his debut for the League One side as a 15-year-old back in November 2023.
Having now signed a professional contract at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, the youngster has impressed for Everton’s academy. In the under-21s, he’s scored three goals and assisted one in eight appearances.
In the under-18s, Clarke has shone, with 11 goals and one assist in 19 games. It is easy to see why Liverpool Echo journalist Joe Thomas called him 'outstanding', having also highlighted how "thrilling" it is to see such "fearlessness" in action.
The former Wimbledon star has already had a taste of first-team football in preseason, where he even had the chance to get on the pitch. In a later interview, Clarke said he will “always be confident, and I’ll never abandon my gameplan,” even in a senior environment.
That courageousness is certainly similar to Grealish, described by England teammate Phil Foden as a “fearless” operator.
Earlier in the season, Toffees fans might have seen more similarities between the pair. Clarke shone in the EFL Trophy against Doncaster Rovers, where he scored a late goal and completed four dribbles.
Clarke stats vs. Doncaster
Stat
Touches
Passes completed
Dribbles completed
Ground duels won
Fouls won
Shots
Goals
Stats from Sofascore
That performance against a group of experienced senior players highlighted the confidence Clarke plays with. It is easy to see how he is like Grealish, in that sense, who is also unlikely to shy away from a challenge.
Whatever Grealish’s future is on Merseyside, Everton fans can certainly get excited about Clarke, who seems to be a player with a bright future.