David Moyes spoke positively of the on-loan Everton playmaker in a week in which Jack Grealish was at the centre of the headlines
Jack Grealish of Everton acknowledges the fans as he celebrates victory at Aston Villa, his final game before the emergence of a season-ending injury. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
Jack Grealish of Everton acknowledges the fans as he celebrates victory at Aston Villa, his final game before the emergence of a season-ending injury. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
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David Moyes said he only thinks of Jack Grealish in a "positive" way after the emergence of an image that appeared to show him asleep while with friends at a bar.
The picture of the 30-year-old, said to have been taken last weekend, went viral after emerging online. It sparked debate, with former Crystal Palace chairman Simon Jordan questioning the playmaker’s conduct on his talkSPORT show.
For Moyes, the matter appeared to be a non-issue. Speaking ahead of Everton’s home clash on Monday with Manchester City, Grealish’s parent club, the Blues boss confirmed the loanee had been given time off and talked up his opinion of him.
Grealish is currently fighting his way back from a stress fracture in his foot that ended his season prematurely. He had been a key part in the opening half of Everton’s season, scoring twice and providing six assists before the injury was discovered after the battling win at Aston Villa in January.
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The problem ended his World Cup ambitions just as they were gathering momentum, with some of his best displays coming with England manager Thomas Tuchel in the stands.
Asked for his thoughts on the image of Grealish, Moyes said: “I only think of Jack as being positive. He's done great for us.
“He was brilliant for, I don't know, 20 games, however many games it was. When I'm looking back at the start of the season and how controlled the team were and how well we played, he was really good for us, so I think of Jack positively.
“He has had a bit of time off because he is healing from his foot.”
Grealish was in the process of reviving his career at Hill Dickinson Stadium and has made clear his love for the club.
Moyes is keen to explore the possibility of extending his stay into next season, with Everton understood to be keen to discuss another loan deal for the Champions League winner.
The player this week shared images of his progress, including pictures showing him working out. And as he extended his role as a principal ambassador with Special Olympics GB this week, he told BBC Sport: "I feel really good in myself now. I had a 10-week Zoom call with the surgeon, who said it couldn't be looking any better at this stage.
"So for me, it's happy days and so good to hear news like that."
Grealish added: "I can't thank (Everton) enough for the way they've been with me since I've been injured. They've been brilliant. From the staff, to the players, to the manager."