Everton are finishing the campaign with European aspirations as they also think about what they need next season - but as David Moyes looks to kick on again, should there be a space held for Jack Grealish again?
Jack Grealish salutes the fans during the Premier League match between Everton and Brentford at Hill Dickinson Stadium
Jack Grealish quickly became an Everton fans' favourite before injury cut his season short
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For those who like to base their judgement of a footballer on his or her statistics, Jack Grealish is not standing out. Over the past three seasons, Grealish has played 3348 minutes of Premier League football and scored six goals.
In that time, he has registered eight assists. If you are into Fantasy Premier League, Grealish has not been for you.
Bear in mind, Grealish was playing for Manchester City, the outstanding team of the modern Premier League era, for two of those past three seasons. From a numbers point of view, his loan season with Everton - which has been cut short by a foot injury - started well. He provided four assists in his first three Premier League appearances but only two in his next 17.
For all his attacking talent, Grealish has never been a prolific goalscorer, failing to reach double figures in any of his ten Premier League seasons. And his two goals in 20 Premier League matches for Everton is about par for the course.
He has 29 goals in 210 Premier League appearances. Grealish’s value to a team and a club, though, cannot be measured by numbers alone.
He is an infectious character in the dressing-room and at the training ground. In a match, he occupies opponents in a way that frees up time and space for others, he draws fouls like no other player in the Premier League.
He keeps possession well. He can make things happen. He had a short run of games for England when he looked as though he could be a difference-maker on the international stage.
Everton manager David Moyes celebrates with Jack Grealish of Everton after the Premier League match between Everton and Crystal Palace at Hill Dickinson Stadium
David Moyes has been extremely happy with Jack Grealish's contribution to Everton's season(Image: Getty)
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He is a very lovable footballer. And a very talented one. And I am sure David Moyes would love to have him around the place next season.
But when the pros and cons of trying to come to a deal are weighed up, it would be easy to understand any boardroom and backroom reservations. In an ideal world, of course, City would want to sell Grealish - whose Etihad deal expires in the summer of 2027 - for a decent fee this summer.
But realistically, that is not going to happen. The 30-year-old has not played for three months and will not play again this season.
The player himself would probably prefer to run his contract down and make his next permanent move a free one and there are too many doubts about his form and fitness for a club to pay a hefty fee. City might have no choice other than to try and ship Grealish out on loan again.
Jack Grealish looks on prior to the Carabao Cup third round match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Everton at Molineux
Jack Grealish has still been a visible presence at the club despite his serious foot injury
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But Grealish, who turns 31 in September, still comes at a cost. His wages come in at a conservative £225,000 a week.
Everton’s outlay on Grealish for his truncated season is believed to have been well in excess of £10million. After this decent first season at Hill Dickinson Stadium, the club will want to kick on and that sort of money is a fair lump out of the recruitment budget.
There is no denying Grealish has made a big impression on everyone at the club, including the fans, and there is no doubt the club has made a big impression on him.
But there are too many risks and too many uncertainties to make another season together an irresistible investment.