Jack Grealish looks exasperated, as Simon Jordan speaks about the Everton loanee
Credit: Imago and talkSPORT
Richie Mills
Wed 29 April 2026 21:50, UK
Simon Jordan says Jack Grealish‘s latest drunken antics are part of the reason why the Everton loanee is no longer an “elite” footballer.
Manchester City forked out a whopping £100million to sign Grealish on a six-year deal from Aston Villa in 2021 but he has never really lived up to that hefty price tag.
Many argue that the winger’s creative spark has been doused by Pep Guardiola, who wanted to get more of the England international in a wider team sense.
Over time, though, Grealish’s influence waned and he was shipped out on loan to Everton last summer in a deal that included a £50m buy option.
Grealish did impress for Everton before getting injured. However, after being pictured asleep at a rooftop bar, ex-Crystal Palace chairman Jordan has laid into the 30-year-old.
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Jack Grealish’s reputation proceeds him
Grealish’s talent has never been in question. However, his professionalism off the pitch has.
The former Villa star has a reputation for being something of a party animal, which has been jumped on by certain sections of the media.
Jack Grealish’s club career
Aston Villa 32 goals, 43 assists, 213 games
Man City 17 goals, 23 assists, 157 games
Everton Two goals, six assists, 22 games
He has been able to re-establish himself with David Moyes‘ side this season, with the England international reportedly keen to head to Hill Dickinson Stadium permanently.
But after being photographed passed out at a bar in Manchester whilst drinking with his friends on Saturday, Jordan has directed his ire at the wideman.
He said on talkSPORT on Wednesday, “There is a reason why Jack Grealish is no longer considered to be an elite footballer worthy of being at Man City and is on loan to Everton.
“And it must ultimately be because he hasn’t performed at a certain level, and some of that may well be because he doesn’t perhaps conduct himself in the way that an elite footballer should do.
❌ "He's got no steam to release, he's not playing!"
🤕 "I don't imagine this kind of conduct helps him get fit!"
🤦♂️ "There is an inherent awareness of how to behave…"
Simon Jordan reacts to Jack Grealish being seen passed out at a bar. pic.twitter.com/SIaKbD7bsK
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) April 29, 2026
View Tweet
“If I’m the owner of a football club, and a player’s unfit, he is out of sight, out of mind to some extent. If I see those pictures, it reminds me that I’m paying him £200,000 a week for him to get fit.
“And I don’t imagine that this kind of conduct helps him get fit. So whilst everyone’s allowed to have time off and allowed to have a breather, allowed to release steam, he’s got no steam to release, he’s not playing.”
Everton missing Grealish
While Grealish may have made headlines for all the wrong reasons this week, he has become a popular figure among Everton fans.
The winger was the Toffees’ most creative player for the first half of the season, which was ended by a foot injury in January.
Everton need to sign a winger if they are unable to land Grealish in the summer, with fellow loanee Tyrique George yet to fill the void left by the veteran.
Everton are unlikely to fork out £50m for his services but it may not be a huge surprise to see Grealish back on Merseyside next season in some capacity.
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