Photo by Naomi Baker - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Photo by Naomi Baker - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Gareth Bale has admitted he’d noticed a big change in Jack Grealish’s style of play ahead of his move to Everton.
The 30-year-old remains sidelined, with Grealish recently sharing an injury update from his personal gym.
Everton will be without Grealish for the remainder of the 2025/26 campaign following his foot surgery.
Jack Grealish of Everton in action during the Premier League match between Everton and Brighton & Hove Albion at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Credit: Getty Images/Michael Regan.
He had returned eight goal involvements prior to the injury, which highlighted a change from what Bale had noticed about how Pep Guardiola had restricted his role.
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Gareth Bale has noticed change in Everton’s Jack Grealish
Grealish has loved his time at Everton having returned to being the main man in the side after departing Man City.
His time in Manchester saw a change in his style of play under Guardiola, which is something that Bale did not enjoy watching.
Jack Grealish of Everton reacts during the Premier League match between Everton and West Ham United. Jack Grealish of Everton looks on during the Premier League match between Everton and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Credit: Getty Images/Alex Livesey/Matt McNulty
“I don’t know, I look, for example, at Grealish, when he was at City, he was like, just stayed out there. I’m like, at Villa, you were coming inside,” Bale said on the Stick to Football podcast.
“Guardiola is an incredible manager and I would never disrespect him, but that player now doesn’t have the freedom to do what he does best, which is ultimately what got him there.
“So that’s just kind of, I feel the way the football’s going. Again, it evolves, it, generations change, things, long throw-ins are back in play now, so you never know. There’s hope for everything, so.”
Ben Foster is expecting Grealish to return stronger next season on the back of this considerable injury blow at Everton.
Whether he remains on Merseyside is another question, though.
It is believed that Everton will need to renegotiate Grealish’s buy clause, with the Blues unwilling to match City’s £50m asking price.
Grealish has been unleashed at Everton
Despite returning eight goal involvements in the Premier League by January, Moyes still wanted more from Grealish at Everton.
The 30-year-old had a positive first half of the season, but there was a feeling that there were more goals left out on the pitch by the winger.
The main difference seen was Grealish’s enjoyment for the game returning after leaving City behind.
It would make a lot of sense for Everton to bring him back over the summer, but it has to be a deal that is on their terms.
Grealish will be heading into the new season on the back of a significant injury and soon turning 31; Everton cannot pay big money on his potential transfer fee.