Former Everton goalkeeper Asmir Begovic believes Jack Grealish was a good signing - but also a necessary one given the other events of deadline day
Jack Grealish returned to Everton from Manchester City in a loan deal signed off on transfer deadline day. Image: Everton FC
Jack Grealish returned to Everton from Manchester City in a loan deal signed off on transfer deadline day. Image: Everton FC
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Asmir Begovic believes Jack Grealish could lift Everton once again - but that making an impression will be harder for him this time.
The former Blues goalkeeper labelled the return of the playmaker as “a really great signing” whose services will be valuable after the sale of Iliman Ndiaye to Grealish’s parent club, Manchester City, on deadline day.
He thinks the 30-year-old could dovetail with the emerging Tyrique George and Thierno Barry to give Everton and David Moyes a chance of being competitive even after what he considered to be an “underwhelming” transfer window.
On the return of Grealish, who was secured in a deadline day loan deal from the Etihad, Begovic said: “Jack Grealish is a really great signing. He had a massive impact during the first half of last season and the Everton fans certainly fell in love with him, so it was fitting for him to come back for another season.
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“It won't be easy, as it is often more difficult the second time around, but Everton is such a passionate club with an incredible fan base. Jack Grealish really feeds off that emotion and the feeling of support from everyone around him, which will hopefully give him the chance to play his best football.
“It was a piece of business they needed to do, especially after losing Iliman Ndiaye to Manchester City. They really needed him back to unearth that attacking play and open things up for the rest of the team.”
Providing some creativity for the Blues will be Grealish’s key task. He scored twice and provided six assists for the club last season before injury curtailed his season midway through January.
One of the big questions will be whether anyone can finish the chances he creates. After the dramatic collapse of the deal to sign Folarin Balogun on Tuesday night - hours after Everton agreed the sale of Beto - Everton have been left with just one specialist striker.
Begovic believes the pressure is on Barry as a result - though he pointed to George as a potential alternative up top.
He told the website Hajper: “It’s a big blow that the move for Folarin Balogun didn’t go through and there is now massive pressure on Thierno Barry. It would have been a great signing for Everton, and without him, the attacking options look a bit stretched.
“Tyrique George looks a good addition especially because he is versatile, but the overall transfer window has felt a bit underwhelming when you consider the club's ambitions and the expectations of the fanbase.
“That said, David Moyes has been around the game for a long time, he’ll figure out how to make the team competitive, balanced, and as successful as possible this season.”