Jack Grealish
Jack Grealish
Fresh claims have emerged about Jack Grealish’s activities in the days before he was left out of Everton’s Carabao Cup victory over Newcastle United for a breach of club discipline.
The S*n reports that Grealish spent two successive evenings drinking and socialising earlier in October. The claims should be treated with the appropriate caution given their source, and there is no suggestion from Everton that the reported nights out were connected to the disciplinary action taken later in the month.
Fresh Grealish claims emerge
According to the tabloid, Grealish attended the Pride of Britain Awards in London on 19 October before later visiting a karaoke bar and remaining out into the early hours.
The newspaper claims the 31-year-old returned to the North West and attended Everton training the following day before going out again that evening. Jordan Pickford and Tyler Dibling were reportedly among those present at a Wilmslow pub, alongside former Manchester City defender Kyle Walker, with Everton’s players then given the Wednesday off.
There is no suggestion Pickford or Dibling breached any club rules, while the reported outings should not be confused with the separate incident which followed. Grealish was later left out of Thursday’s 3-1 victory over Newcastle after failing to attend a scheduled training session, with Everton publicly describing his absence as a breach of club discipline.
Advertisement
David Moyes has offered few details beyond backing the club’s decision. He instead spoke after the Newcastle victory about Everton’s values and the standards expected from his players both on and off the pitch, while refusing to reveal whether Grealish will return for Monday’s Premier League rematch at St James’ Park.
Everton talks…
As Read Everton reported earlier, Moyes has dealt with difficult situations involving senior players before. His handling of Wayne Rooney at Manchester United has been highlighted as one example of the manager challenging a player and receiving a response.
Grealish has already held talks with Everton officials following the disciplinary breach, and BBC Sport reports the club do not regard the incident as his final chance. He must nevertheless work his way back into Moyes’s plans at a time when Tyrique George impressed in his absence against Newcastle.
The latest claims add another layer to the discussion surrounding Grealish, but they do not establish why he subsequently missed training. For Everton, the confirmed issue remains that absence and how the 31-year-old responds to it.
Advertisement
For all the latest Everton news, reaction and analysis, visit our Everton news page.**
Gary Gowers is a sports journalist and the editor of Read Everton, where he leads daily coverage of Everton news, transfers and analysis. He also writes about Manchester City for Read Man City and motorsport for Read Motorsport. A former accountant, he became a freelance writer in 2011 and has written for BBC Sport and Metro.
View all articles →