Jack Grealish in an Everton shirt, Simon Jordan in inlet.
Credit: Manh Tung, Breaking Media/talkSPORT
Declan Carr
Wed 27 August 2025 16:10, UK
Jack Grealish looks set to revive his career with Everton.
Grealish played a small cameo in Everton’s opening day defeat to Leeds, before truly making an impression in the first competitive game at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Grealish was instrumental as Everton secured a 2-0 win over Brighton, with the Manchester City loanee bagging two assists.
It was a far cry from the misery that he had endured for the last few years at the Etihad Stadium after his £100million move from Aston Villa.
Everton manager David Moyes smiling.
Credit: Imago
Jack Grealish defended amid Everton criticism
Everton are covering half of Grealish’s £300,000-a-week wages, which has led to criticism of his complaints about his time with Pep Guardiola’s side.
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Grealish admitted that he had fallen out of love with the beautiful game after his tough period at City, saying: “I think maybe at times in the last couple of years, I’ve fallen out of love – not fallen out of love, but just didn’t enjoy football as much as I should.”
However, former Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan has defended the new Blues star amid the latest controversy, with some hitting back at Grealish immediately.
Speaking live on talkSPORT on 27 August (11:54 am), he said: “I don’t think there is anything wrong with what Jack said there.
“I think it shows an element of maturity about his attitude towards life.
“I’m the first one to say that the rewards and recognition from football provide such an opportunity, it is a rarified air, but if it is the only air you know, the only environment that you have been brought up in, what else do you know about the hardships of people?
“So, when people go ‘you’re on this amount of money’, that shouldn’t be part of the equation.”
Jack Grealish is enjoying life at Everton so far
It is safe to say that Grealish has enjoyed his time at Everton since he joined on loan.
Two assists on his home debut, having been awarded creative freedom by Moyes, rather than sitting on the bench like he was under Guardiola, is evidence of that.
There was a real buzz around the move, from Toffees supporters and pundits in the media, and that has been justified so far by his performances in the blue shirt.
If Grealish continues in that vein of form, he will definitely fall back in love with his football and more importantly, Blues supporters will adore him and be desperate to sign him permanently.
His focus will be on proving that it is a worthwhile move to spend £50million on him next summer, even though he will be the wrong side of 30 by the time the option to purchase him comes around.
He may even get back into the England squad for the 2026 World Cup, after missing out on the last six Three Lions matches in a potential remarkable turnaround for the former Aston Villa star.
One thing is for sure, Grealish is loved in Everton blue already.
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