Jack Grealish's future is uncertain after an impressive loan spell with Evertonplaceholder image
Jack Grealish's future is uncertain after an impressive loan spell with Everton | AFP via Getty Images
In an exclusive interview, an Everton legend gives his verdict on the future of on-loan winger Jack Grealish.
Everton legend Tony Cottee has discussed the future of winger Jack Grealish in an exclusive interview – and believes that the Toffees should ensure that they sign him permanently when his loan from Manchester City comes to an end.
The 30-year-old rediscovered some of his best form after arriving at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, scoring twice in 19 matches before a stress fracture to his foot ruled him out for the remainder of the season. With his future up in the air, we asked former Everton striker Cottee about the former Aston Villa star.
Everton hero a ‘huge fan’ of Jack Grealish
Cottee, speaking exclusively to 3 Added Minutes via the home of football betting, said that he was a “huge fan” of Grealish – and added that Everton should do what they could to sign him permanently.
“Obviously he's injured now, but I'm a huge Jack Grealish fan,” Cottee told us. “I like players that make things happen and I've always been a big fan of Jack. I think he's been excellent for Everton.
“It's a shame he's injured now, but hopefully Everton can tie him up. I think they've really got to look at getting him tied down to a permanent transfer now.”
Retired forward Cottee, who scored 99 goals in 241 appearances for Everton between 1988 and 1994 and played in the 1989 FA Cup final, also believed that Grealish could well be keen to extend his stay on Merseyside.
“I'm pretty certain that Jack, as much as he probably would have enjoyed his time at Manchester City, would like to move on. The Evertonians, the fans, are fantastic. They love a Jack Grealish. I know he loves the fans and the fans love him.”
Grealish just ‘needs to be loved’
Grealish completed a loan move to Everton last summer having lost his place in Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City side after a prolonged spell of poor form. Having once broken the British transfer record to sign him from Aston Villa in a £100m deal, City seem happy for him to move on – but it’s not certain that the Toffees will sign him permanently as yet.
Grealish, who still has a year left on his contract at the Etihad, could demand a significant salary and is currently paid a reported £200,000 per week – but Cottee believes that striking a deal this summer could be “important” for club and player alike.
“The sooner they can get him tied up and hopefully get the contract done, the better. If you've got to take a wage cut, you take a wage cut. You do what you've got to do.
“At Jack's age and where he is in his football career, he needs to be playing regular football and he needs to be loved. I think he gets both of those things at Everton.
“I think that's really important at Everton. Try and tie him down at the end of the season. But yeah, he's been a great signing for the club.”
Grealish hasn’t played since January after undergoing surgery on his broken foot and is considered unlikely to feature again this season – but Cottee won’t be the only Evertonian hopeful that he hasn’t played his last game at the Hill Dickinson Stadium just yet.
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