A graphic of Jack Grealish and Everton manager David Moyes standing side by side, with Hill Dickinson Stadium in the background
A graphic of Jack Grealish and Everton manager David Moyes standing side by side, with Hill Dickinson Stadium in the background
The 31-year-old played 85 minutes against Chelsea in the Premier League on 17 October, but was a complete absentee against Arsenal.
He was the same again when David Moyes named his teamsheet for the Toffees' Carabao Cup clash with Newcastle on Thursday night.
As it turned out, Everton didn't require his services as Moyes' men ran out 3-1 winners over the Magpies as they progressed to the quarter-finals.
However, the 39-cap England international is a quality player, and a much-loved member of the squad by supporters.
For that reason, news of in-house disciplinary action being taken against him will have caught many Evertonians off guard.
Which EFL player's disciplinary case may be linked to Jack Grealish?
It's since been widely reported that Grealish's omission from Everton's squad against Newcastle stemmed from an unauthorised training absence.
As it turns out, Grealish isn't the only player in English football to have been left out of his team's matchday squad for disciplinary reasons in recent days.
In the Championship, Cardiff City's Callum Robinson was taken out of their squad for their 1-0 win over Birmingham City.
As detailed by Wales Online's Cardiff correspondent Glen Williams via X, this was also done for "not adhering to club protocols."
A week after Callum Robinson was omitted from Cardiff’s squad for not adhering to club protocols, one of his best mates has been left out at Everton over ‘a breach of club discipline’ - reportedly due to not turning up to training. (Not suggesting they are connected!)
— Glen Williams (@GlenWilliams12) October 29, 2026
Williams notes that Robinson is one of Grealish's "best mates", but the reporter made it clear that he wasn't trying to imply these incidents were connected.
However, without aiming to speculate even further, it is difficult to see how they aren't with this context.
So how do Grealish and Robinson know each other so closely?
Where Grealish and Robinson's friendship story begins
Grealish and Robinson go a long way back together, so far back indeed that they were kids when their friendship began.
The two grew up alongside one another in Aston Villa's youth ranks since they were eight, with their respective families becoming close too.
In 2014, they both broke into Aston Villa's first-team side together as they made their Premier League debuts.
Grealish has gone considerably higher in the game than Robinson, respectfully, but the pair have clearly remained very close over the years.
“Jack, is this a permanent deal or just a loan move?” @JackGrealish “not sure yet!” https://t.co/YebtbjgTu1
— Cardiff Classic Shirts (@ClassicshirtCDF) August 17, 2026
In fact, Grealish has even been spotted on numerous occasions watching Robinson in action for Cardiff from the stands.
Goodison News isn't going to speculate on the reason for Grealish's absence until facts emerge, as we don't believe that's fair on the player nor the person.
Let's just hope that the situation can be resolved in the best possible manner as quickly as possible, and for the best outcome for everyone involved.