A new chapter begins for Jack Grealish as he will don the number 18 shirt at Everton, but it could have been something else.
The winger is set to try and rejuvenate his career on the Blue side of Merseyside under David Moyes.
After picking his number, Grealish wants to follow Wayne Rooney and Paul Gascoigne, who both wore the same number during their tenures.
Picking a number speaks a thousand words, as the 29-year-old could potentially build a new legacy if things go well at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
But he might have quite easily gone down a different route at Everton, as there was another option available.
Manchester City winger Jack Grealish.
Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Wayne Rooney says Jack Grealish had choice between number 18 or number eight at Everton
It’s an exciting time for Evertonians who get to see the statement signing in action this summer, as the England international has the platform to shine.
Jamie Carragher said fans will only watch Grealish, as he could rediscover his Aston Villa form with more freedom with the Toffees expected.
As he looks to add to the credibility of the number 18 kit at the Toffees, speaking to The Wayne Rooney show, Rooney said that it was possible a different number could’ve come into the frame for Grealish.
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“I went for dinner and I seen him (Grealish), we spoke about the number 18 shirt,” Rooney said.
“He said there was eight and 18 available. He remembered Paul Gascoigne and myself wearing it (18) so.”
After his choice, it looks like the right decision, with him certainly giving vibes of both players, but he could have followed in the footsteps of a different Blues legend.
Jack Grealish would have followed the likes of Graham Stuart with number eight shirt at Everton
With the winger likely to play in the number ten after Grealish’s brother hinted at his Everton position, the number eight would have worked well.
Following on from this, he could have followed the likes of Everton legend Graham Stuart, who also played in the attacking midfield role at times, making 136 appearances.
Other names include Louis Saha, Bryan Oviedo, Ross Barkley for the one season in 2016/17, but most recently it was donned by Orel Mangala.
But Grealish has gone the way of true greatness as he looks to emulate Rooney and Gascoigne, as a new era begins for the number 18.