Former Everton midfielder Dan Gosling has given his view on the signing of Jack Grealish and the continued links to Tyler Dibling
Former Everton midfielder Dan Gosling believes David Moyes can unleash the best of Jack Grealish. He has also had his say on the club's interest in Tyler Dibling at Southampton.
The Blues confirmed the loan signing of Grealish from Manchester City on Tuesday. His arrival has been greeted with widespread excitement among the fanbase, as the 29-year-old comes in as a three-time Premier League winner and one of the most technically-gifted players in the top flight.
Grealish has fallen out of favour at the Etihad Stadium in recent years and was left out of the squad in the summer for the Club World Cup. Speaking on Sky Sports News, Gosling predicted the England international will make a big impression at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
"From Everton's point of view it is a fantastic signing," he said. "He's going to come in and lift everyone in that club.
"He's going to lift the fanbase first and foremost. We've spoken about the new stadium a lot and David Moyes leading that team into a new era. This is a statement signing that they need going into that new stadium.
"Jack is going to turn up and it's a bit like when he was at Villa - he knew he was their best player. He's going to walk into that Everton dressing room and feel really confident, knowing he's one of the best ones. Everyone is going to look up to him and want to give him the ball.
"He's going to love the atmosphere there. The fans are going to love him. It's a fantastic signing."
After the arrival of Carlos Alcaraz and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall this summer, Everton now have a number of options to play in attacking midfield. In Dwight McNeil and Iliman Ndiaye there are also numerous options to play off the left wing.
Grealish can operate in both of those positions and Gosling believes he and Ndiaye will be given freedom to interchange behind the centre-forward.
"I think he's going to switch between Ndiaye and Grealish," he said. "There's going to be great rotation between those two players especially. It just gives them so much attacking threat.
"Ndiaye probably goes under the radar but he's a great player and probably just needs one or two others to link up with him and get on the same sort of wavelength. Grealish does that and what it does for Jack is just frees him up.
"Now he's got to go back to the Jack Grealish at Villa we all loved. Taking the ball in different areas, driving at defences, laying it off and getting fouls. When he's making things happen that's when he's at his best.
One area in which Everton are short is on the right flank. Southampton winger Dibling has been targeted to potentially fill that void, although the Blues have had three bids rejected for the 19-year-old.
Gosling can see why Everton hold an interest in the England youth international, but believes a potential £45million transfer fee would be excessive for the winger.
"I think he's a terrific talent," he said. "The technical ability he has - England just keep producing these players now. It was unheard of a few years ago.
"I think the £45m is a hell of a lot of money. I think it's probably too much. But at the same time, Tyler played in a struggling Southampton side. I don't think people have actually seen the best of him and what he's capable of.
"His dribbles last season were really good but the end product might not have been there because there was nobody to pass to or they didn't get in the attacking areas enough.
"So he's probably doing a lot of his work in his own half, taking two or three on and then getting fouled. Nothing has come at the end of it.
"He's a terrific talent - I just wonder if the £45 million fee is too much for Everton at this time."