Everton sealed the return of Jack Grealish on a season-long loan from Manchester City on transfer deadline day as the start of last month
Jack Grealish during the match between Everton and Ipswich Town at Hill Dickinson Stadium on September 19, 2026
Jack Grealish during the match between Everton and Ipswich Town at Hill Dickinson Stadium on September 19, 2026(Image: Gary Oakley - Everton FC via Getty Images)
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Jack Grealish will have benefited from the recent international break as he is still finding his match sharpness. That’s the view of former Blues defender Alan Stubbs as David Moyes’ side prepare to return to action against Hull City this weekend.
Grealish returned to Hill Dickinson Stadium on loan from Manchester City on transfer deadline day last month. The England international established himself as a firm favourite with Everton supporters before a foot injury in January brought an early end to his loan.
And Stubbs, speaking via Goal, believes: “I thought when he came last year, he was excellent.
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“He was really good. In the early part of the season, he was head and shoulders above anybody in terms of his quality.
“And then he obviously had his injury with his foot and that affected Everton. I think this summer was always one of them where Everton were very comfortable with the situation.
“I think they were very comfortable where they were happy to let this be a very late addition because I think they were speaking to City, I think they were speaking to Jack and it suited Everton not to be paying two months of wages for him when they could have got him at the very end of the window.
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“So Jack's come back and I think, if anything, he was probably a little bit behind where David would have wanted him because of his lack of minutes with Man City in pre-season. And then he started to play in the last game or two.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 19: David Moyes, Manager of Everton, looks on as he inspects the pitch before the Premier League 2026/27 match between Everton and Ipswich Town at Hill Dickinson Stadium on September 19, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images)
“If I'm being honest, because I love Jack, he's looked a little bit rusty. He's still, I think, finding match sharpness.
“But I think this break would have done him the world of good. And I do expect, after the international break, we'll start to see more and more of Jack Grealish.”
On expectations for the 31-year-old’s return, Blues boss Moyes said last month: “Incredibly exciting if he gives us what he gave us at the start of last season. If we get that level from him then we’ll be thrilled.”
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