Jack Grealish looks on during Everton's match against Chelsea
Jack Grealish needs to recapture his 'appetite' if he is going to continue as a Premier League player.
That is according to talkSPORT's Andy Townsend amid the forward's Everton exile.
Jack Grealish looks on during Everton's match against Chelsea4
Grealish has been handed a warning over his Premier League future
Grealish has not been included in the matchday squad for any of the Toffees' last three matches in all competitions.
Having missed their defeat to Arsenal through illness, he was left out once again against Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup on Thursday.
The club announced prior to the match that Grealish's absence was due to a 'breach of club discipline'.
It is understood the 31-year-old had failed to report for training ahead of the fourth round tie.
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He then remained unavailable for their Premier League win over the same opponents on Monday as he was not match fit.
Grealish is currently on loan at Everton from Manchester City for the second season in a row.
In six appearances in all competitions for the Toffees this term, he is yet to score or register an assist.
Grealish warning
Townsend has now provided an honest assessment of where Grealish currently stands in his career.
Speaking to Jeff Stelling on Tuesday's Breakfast show, he explained: "Jack is at that point in his career, he’s achieved everything he would have wanted to achieve at City.
"He was such an integral part of what happened when he left Villa and went to City, became a different player. Obviously, he became a highly decorated £100million footballer.
Jack Grealish celebrates scoring for Everton against Crystal Palace4
Grealish's second season at Everton has been disrupted by disciplinary issues
"When he was at Villa, he used to get the ball on the halfway line and he could travel 30, 35 yards with it, going past one, maybe two people so comfortably and so well.
"The biggest part of his game was that whenever he got it, he burst forward and he could accelerate beyond people and he got to City and City penned teams in 25 yards from goal.
"So Jack was picking up the ball on the edge of the 18 yard box and he sort of became a little bit fiddly with it around the edge of the box.
"I just think recently, having come out of the City team and not played under Pep (Guardiola) in that last spell, he’s just lost that extra yard that I think makes the difference for you as a player. It happens."
Grealish joined City for a then British record £100million from Aston Villa in 2021.
He went on to win seven trophies with the club including three Premier League titles, the Champions League and the Club World Cup.
Jack Grealish celebrates scoring for Manchester City against Southampton4
Grealish must find his 'appetite' to recapture his best form, says Townsend
However, after falling out of favour under Pep Guardiola, he was loaned to Everton last summer.
Now into the final year of his City deal, Grealish's long-term future remains uncertain.
Can Grealish return to his best?
Asked if he can rediscover his best form, Townsend added: "Yes, but he needs something to really get his appetite going.
"If you’re not turning up for training, if you’re missing sessions and you’re doing stuff like that, you’re not going to survive in this day and age."
The former Republic of Ireland international continued: "If you’re not one of those boys that rocks up in the morning, you’re in great nick from the day before, then you’re not going to survive, certainly not in the Premier League.
"So Jack has got to make a decision (on) what he really wants to do, where he really wants to be and I think find something a little bit more in his game.
Jack Grealish celebrates with the Premier League trophy4
Grealish became a three-time Premier League champion at City
"A few years ago he had that one season in the treble-winning team where he was truly outstanding there.
"Give it to Jack and he’ll hang onto it and he’ll make something happen for us. That’s disappeared lately. I hope he gets it back."
Grealish has scored 29 goals and provided 27 assists in 216 Premier League appearances for Villa, City and Everton during his career.
Meanwhile, he has also won 39 caps for England since making his senior international debut in September 2020.
The winger was part of the Three Lions' squads for both Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup.
However, he has not featured for the national team since scoring in a win over Finland in October 2024.