Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
There was a point towards the end of the transfer window where it looked like Jack Grealish wouldn’t re-sign for Everton, but one statistic has emerged highlighting how important it was that he did.
After his loan spell last season was cut short by injury, Jack Grealish headed back to Manchester City not really knowing what the future held. That was also the case for Everton.
The club were waiting to see how he would recover from his foot injury during the off-season and pre-season, and Everton didn’t want to swoop too early given the player’s huge wages.
In the end, Grealish returned on deadline day. Fans were very frustrated at that point after what happened with Folarin Balogun, but many still found a moment to express their joy at seeing Grealish come back.
And he is already looking worth the pursuit.
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Jack Grealish is the most creative player in the Premier League
We have not yet seen Grealish in full flow, because he has been gradually working his way back to full fitness.
But against Wolves, he got his first start of the season, and then he kept his place for the league game against Ipswich Town at the weekend.
It’s three Premier League appearances in total so far for Grealish. And he is already making his mark, with Squawka releasing data today that shows him top of the pile for chances created per 90.
Grealish leads the way with 4.0 per game, putting him ahead of Rayan Cherki, Savio, Marcus Rashford and Jeremie Frimpong.
But the frustrating part here is that Grealish hasn’t actually registered an assist in the competition yet, and he will obviously be keen for that to change.
But it does rather follow a trend for Grealish as an Everton player. Last season, he got six assists in total and effectively only played half the campaign. He was very creative, and there would likely have been a great chance of getting into double figures had he stayed fit.
But this is a very good sign. Especially when you consider he has not been fully match sharp.
Everton obviously lost Iliman Ndiaye in the summer and, so, a lot of creativity went out of the team with his departure. But Grealish is showing early doors that he will be a player to make things happen from that left side. And that is most welcome.
There is every chance Grealish could be Everton’s best player this season, and what a great thing that would be given the tricky times he’s had over the last couple of years.