The pundits have been having their say after Jack Grealish completed his loan move from Manchester City to Everton
Pundits with loyalties on either side of the Birmingham divide have backed former Aston Villa favourite Jack Grealish to recapture his very best form at Everton. One of his English football's most high profile players has joined the Blues on a season-long loan from Manchester City.
It comes four years after Grealish made the then British transfer record £100m switch from his boyhood club Villa to City.
The England international has won seven major trophies during his time at the Etihad Stadium including the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League treble in the 2022-23 season.
Grealish played a crucial role in that unprecedented City campaign but in the seasons that have followed his influence and importance has waned and he was left out of Pep Guardiola's squad for this summer's FIFA Club World Cup.
With his future clearly away from Manchester, the 29-year-old has made the move to ambitious Everton, who now have the star name manager David Moyes and owners The Friedkin Group wanted for the club's first campaign at the magnificent Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Grealish is desperate to force his way back into the England squad ahead of next summer's World Cup and pundit Paul Merson believes he can do just that.
And he is backing the mercurial midfielder to play with the type of freedom that made him such a fans' favourite at Villa and across the country.
Merson, himself a former Villa Park darling, told Sky Sports: "It's a brilliant move for both parties. For Grealish, he's been at Man City for a good few seasons now and it's a case of playing teams with everyone behind the ball.
"Teams have been doubling up on him and there's been no space. He now goes to Everton, and he'll have space.
"He'll be one vs one in a lot of games. He'll get the ball and be able to attack players, commit them and take them on.
"For Everton, they are getting an £100m player on loan. It's phenomenal for Everton.
"I just think this move ticks a lot of boxes. I think we are going to see the Grealish from his Aston Villa days.
"First things first, Grealish needs to focus on Everton and get going with his new club, but he has given himself a chance with England with this move.
"England have so many players now. It's phenomenal, but a place in the England squad is in Grealish's hands.
"At City, it was out of his hands because he wasn't playing, but this move gives him a great chance to get back in and get to the World Cup.
"If he performs to the ability he can, Grealish will be on that plane to America to the World Cup."
Grealish has made it clear that the Blues were the only club for him this summer.
Troy Deeney agrees it is the 'perfect' move but was surprised Tottenham Hotspur did not rival Everton for Grealish's signature.
Deeney, a boyhood Birmingham City supporter and Watford legend, told talkSPORT: “I love it for Jack. I think him going to play for David Moyes, who is seen to have a structured team but likes his forward players to go and express themselves... it is perfect for him.
“I am surprised that Spurs haven't gone in and got Jack, if I am being totally honest. But it's a really good landing spot for Everton and Jack.
“Jack will be buzzing. He's at a team where he knows David Moyes will play him... Everton going into a new stadium... there is so much expectation. It'll be like going back to Villa in a sense. He'll be a massive player rather than a small part at Man City.
“I think so (it's important Grealish plays in the middle). Everton play (Iliman) Ndiaye off the left and he was excellent at the back end of last year. I think he will play in the No.10 - let him go and roam.
“With someone like Jack, he's charismatic in his life, he is outspoken and does what he does. Just let him be free.
“Everton have got that defensive structure and solid foundation. Just let him play football and you'll see the best version of him.
“For all the good stuff Pep Guardiola does, he kind of put him in a box and we didn't see the best of Jack Grealish.”