England Call for Grealish? Toffees Loanee Giving England Manager a Headache

'Grealish has contributed enormously' - David Moyes

Referee the official had only just blown the final whistle to seal the Toffees' last-gasp win over the Eagles when the Merseyside outfit changed the profile on their X account.

Below the club's famous badge were displayed a short phrase: Grealish Deserves England Call.

It's nearly a year since Jack Grealish last sported a England shirt in a three-one international win over Finland in the Finnish capital under caretaker manager Lee Carsley.

And it will be while longer before the veteran player gets the opportunity to play for his country again after being left out from Thomas Tuchel's most recent squad for a friendly against the Welsh next midweek, followed by a World Cup qualifier in Latvia on 14 October.

But one thing remains perfectly evident: Grealish is doing everything he can to force his way into the manager's plans for next summer's World Cup.

Having delivered four assists in his initial half-dozen Premier League appearances for the Blues, Grealish netted the 93rd-minute winner to secure his side's comeback victory after the Palace keeper had saved the striker from close quarters.

Recorded at 92 minutes and 21 seconds, it was the club's most recent home league winning goal since March 2022 against the Magpies - 98 minutes and 20 seconds.

"Can you believe this?" remarked Grealish, speaking to Sky Sports after the match.

"The last games we've played here we've been tied and I've thought in the 85th minute, 'push yourself, go and score. Imagine if you scored now'.

"I thought it against Villa, and I didn't score. I repeated it against the Hammers and I didn't score.

"Today, I really thought the exact words again and I put it in. I ran to where my parents were, so it was special."

  • Grealish 93rd-minute winner for Everton ends Crystal Palace unbeaten run
  • 'Better than I thought' - Moyes lauds maverick Grealish after win

'England omission not a big deal'

The weekend's game was Grealish's last for three weeks - having just managed to put together six successive Premier League starts for the initial occasion in nearly two and a half years.

He will be ineligible to face his owning team Manchester City when his loan side resume play after the fixture pause on October 18.

It's over eight months before the start of the global tournament. Will Grealish be on board the national team flight?

"You know what?" he shared with BBC Radio 5 Live after the Crystal Palace game, "I don't think as serious as everyone says."

"Ultimately, you want to play for the England side but others are performing strongly in my role. I'm also performing also, but the people picked previously did exceptionally in the recent matches so I accept that with me.

"That's the manager's decision and I completely understand that."

He added: "My priority is playing for Everton because that's who showed faith in me and believed in me, so I'm thoroughly loving it here."

But, former England striker Wayne Rooney informed the media that the player's performances for the Merseysiders will be giving the England boss a "headache".

"The only thing for him is keep doing what he is achieving, clearly getting a winner today," said the pundit, who netted over fifty strikes in more than a hundred games for the national team.

"I'm sure if he keeps doing that he will be in contention come the summer.

"Should he feature, his ability will show, so I'm sure he'll be giving the England manager a headache."

'Johnny-on-the-spot'

Jack Grealish in action for Everton

Jack Grealish featured in seven Premier League games last season - he's begun six since moving to Goodison Park in August.

Tuchel maintains the opportunity exists for Grealish, who has numerous international appearances and four goals for his country, in terms of the global competition next summer.

"There is always a route back into the squad," the national team coach stated on Friday.

"He is aware that I see how impactful he is for the team and that he is on his path to be the best version of himself."

In Grealish's seven Premier League games since joining on a season-long loan from Manchester City, he has played significant game time, had multiple contributions, created 17 chances and had several attempts.

"Jack's done great again," said manager David Moyes after his team's initial victory since 30 August.

"I've been urging him to score more. He is always in the right place.

"The winger's cross was incredible and the forward should have scored. But Grealish is in and around to get the goal."

The manager revealed the player had skipped training during the week because of a minor injury, adding: "He's needed to miss the odd day of training but he is doing a many good things."

Grealish was not the only player excluded from Tuchel's national squad who managed to score this round of fixtures.

Marcus Rashford scored once more for the Spanish giants - although they were beaten four-one at Sevilla - while Mason Mount scored in Manchester United 2-0 win over Sunderland on the weekend.

Megan Zhang
Megan Zhang

A seasoned crypto analyst with over a decade of experience in blockchain technology and digital asset management.

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