Jack Grealish immediately endeared himself to the Everton supporters after a scintillating debut at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Although it was Iliman Ndiaye who made history on the day, scoring the Blues’ first goal in the stadium during the 2-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion, Grealish was the main man.
The Englishman blew away Darren Bent as he provided the assist for Ndiaye’s opener and was also the creator of James Garner’s sensational long-range effort that secured the three points.
Jordan Pickford produced his usual heroics after he denied Danny Welbeck from the penalty spot to thwart any hopes of a late comeback from the visitors.
Jordan Pickford in action for Everton against Brighton and Hove Albion
Photo by Ed Sykes/Sportsphoto/Allstar Via Getty Images
It was a monumental occasion for everyone involved at the club, and while David Moyes got everything right for his side, Rio Ferdinand believes he has spotted one thing that could hold Grealish back on Merseyside.
Jack Grealish needs freedom at Everton
When speaking on his Rio Ferdinand Presents YouTube channel, Ferdinand claimed Grealish did not have enough freedom to showcase his ability against Brighton and that will be the key to unlocking his best form for the Blues.
“Pep Guardiola obviously thinks no. Now he’s gone to Man City and he’s won trophies, he’ll be happy. I still believe that when his career finishes, he’ll say, you know what, I won things which I dreamed about, but my most enjoyable football was at Aston Villa because that’s where he played best and he was free to play and that’s the keyword.
“There was a freeness about the way he played to be a maverick. Now my wish is that he goes to Everton and he’s allowed freedom. Now we didn’t see that at the weekend. He got two assists, which is great for him. One of them (was) a great assist. Smashed it across the box. The other one (is) just a two-yard ball.
“Passed it backwards and then, it was smashed into the back of the net, but he still didn’t play over freedom. He still didn’t play with freeness in the game for Everton. So, I just hope that there’s a chance for him, maybe to slot into that number 10 position behind the forward, and given that freedom, and to be able to roam. That’s where he was best when he was at Aston Villa.
“The ability to just turn up anywhere, not isolated on the wing, which he was still for Everton. And as well as he done, he was still isolated there. You watched the first goal that he set up. What did he do? What happened in that goal, Joe? He ran down the wing, and he crossed it in across the Yeah.
“What happened, though? What happened when he was doing that? Who comes across because he’s Jack Grealish and he’s dangerous and he holds the ball. Two players then come to him, frees up someone else. This is what his game’s about.”
Grealish’s signing has sparked excitement that the 29-year-old will be able to rediscover the form that earned him his £100 million switch to Manchester City.
He has certainly started with a bang for the Blues – Grealish delivered on his message immediately to the supporters and already looks like an astute acquisition.
Indeed, Everton have a £50 million purchase clause in the loan deal, and with Grealish suggesting he has no intention to return to Man City, the focus now is laying down a marker at the Hill Dickinson Stadium ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Everton have plenty of attacking options after Jack Grealish
With Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall also impressing for Everton in the number 10 spot, there will be plenty of competition in the attacking areas this season, something the Blues have lacked in recent years.
The addition of Tyler Dibling certainly gives Moyes a welcome headache, as he must find a way to fit his new array of attackers into the same starting lineup.
Dewsbury-Hall could drop deeper into central midfield, and should Everton address their defensive concerns, Garner could line up alongside him.
Indeed, the Blues are slowly piecing together a side that could challenge for a top-half finish and could be dark horses to claim one of the many European places on offer this season.