Jack Grealish joined Everton on loan from Manchester City earlier this week
(Image: BBC)
Wayne Rooney believes Jack Grealish will become a fans' favourite at Everton as he opened up on talks with the England international ahead of his move to Hill Dickinson Stadium. The Blues confirmed the signing of the attacker on Tuesday on a season-long loan from Manchester City.
The 29-year-old has been looking for an exit from Etihad after making only seven Premier League starts for Pep Guardiola’s side last season. Grealish became David Moyes' sixth signing of the summer transfer window following deals for Charly Alcaraz, Thierno Barry, Mark Travers, Adam Aznou and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.
The England international admitted that talks with Blues manager David Moyes were decisive in him choosing to move to Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Grealish has also chosen to wear the number 18 at Everton in honour of Rooney and Paul Gascoigne, and the former Manchester United forward has revealed he held talks with the Blues’ latest recruit ahead of the transfer being confirmed.
"It is a great signing for both," Rooney told the BBC's The Wayne Rooney Show.
"For Everton, I think it was a really clever move getting Moyes back in – he knows the club and the values of the club and I think we are starting to see with the team he is putting together.
"Jack is a player who can be the difference. He has struggled for game time this last year, lost his place in the England squad.
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“Everton have got him at this time where he is almost in a position where he needs to go prove himself again and I think it is a great signing.
"I went for dinner and saw him - we spoke about the number 18 shirt. He said there was eight and 18 available and he said he remembered Paul Gascoigne took it and then I took it.
"He took that and it is great and I spoke about the values of the club. Everton is a club where the fans expect and demand hard work from the players.
“There is no doubt Jack will do that but then he has the quality on top of that which will make him a fans' favourite."
The Blues kick off their Premier League campaign away to Leeds United on Monday night, and Rooney believes his old club will be pushing for a European spot this season.
He said: “I think Everton will do well. Moyesy is an experienced manager. I think Everton will be pushing for a European spot this year.”