Everton star Jack Grealish has made a name for himself as one of the biggest English talents in the Premier League over the past few years.
Jack Grealish burst through Aston Villa’s academy to become a real star for them upon their promotion to the Premier League, and after a £100million move to Manchester City went stale, his loan spell at Everton has seen him spring back into life.
Grealish is one of the best dribblers in the division, and that sees him fouled a lot – winning free-kicks and penalties to really punish teams in the final third.
However, after Roy Keane criticised him for diving during his time at Manchester City, Grealish got the last laugh over him in a corresponding fixture – and that could see the England man haunt Keane again, with Everton taking on his former side Manchester United on Monday evening.
Everton v Crystal Palace - Premier League
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After Manchester City’s 3-1 win over Aston Villa in February 2023, in which Jack Grealish had won a penalty against his former side, Roy Keane did not stop to criticise the winger, comparing him to Tom Daley.
Keane said on Sky Sports, after the game: “You have to give the penalty. Jack was being very, very smart, it’s very naïve the defending from [Jacob] Ramsey but he does kind of catch him.
“Jack kicks himself more than anything else. He’s more like Tom Daley, but I think it is a penalty and it’s clever from Jack. He gets his body across, he knows exactly what he is doing – gives the referee almost no option but to give the penalty.”
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They were harsh words from the Manchester United legend, but given that Grealish has consistently been one of the most-fouled players in the Premier League ever since his return to the top-flight in the 2019-20 campaign.
However, Grealish then scored for England against the Republic of Ireland last September, after previously turning out for the Boys in Green’s youth ranks as a teenager.
Keane, an Ireland legend, was left with egg on his face after being downed by the mazy dribbler, for his comments – just 18 months after he’d compared Grealish to an Olympic diver.
And, in almost a similar timeframe, the Toffees loanee could inflict further embarrassment on the Premier League icon when Everton face Manchester United on Monday evening.
Jack Grealish could punish Roy Keane further by leapfrogging Manchester United in the table
Grealish has played in 10 games against Manchester United for both Aston Villa and Manchester City.
He’s been on the winning side four times, scoring twice and recording two assists in that time.
However, with Grealish playing a key role already at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, he will be expected to be one of the main stars in Everton’s push to win at Old Trafford.
A win by two or more goals for David Moyes’ side would take them into the top-half, ahead of both United and bitter rivals Liverpool in the Premier League table.
Grealish will be key to that success and any major role in the game will leave Keane reeling after his comments almost three years ago.