England Call for Grealish? Toffees Borrowed Star Providing England Manager a Selection Dilemma

Jack Grealish 'has helped us an awful lot' - Everton Boss

Referee the official had barely blown the final whistle to confirm Everton's dramatic late win over Crystal Palace when the Merseyside outfit updated the bio 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 the attacking midfielder last sported a England shirt in a 3-1 international win over Finland in Helsinki under caretaker manager the former coach.

And it will be while longer before the veteran player receives the chance to play for his country again after being left out from Thomas Tuchel's most recent squad for a exhibition match against Wales next Thursday, followed by a World Cup qualifier in the Baltic nation on the 14th of October.

However, one aspect remains crystal clear: Grealish is doing everything he can to force his way into Tuchel's plans for the upcoming World Cup.

Having delivered four assists in his initial half-dozen Premier League appearances for Everton, the midfielder scored the 93rd-minute winner to secure his team's comeback victory after the Palace keeper had denied Beto from close quarters.

Recorded at 92 minutes and 21 seconds, it was Everton's latest home Premier League winning goal since spring 2022 against the Magpies - 98 minutes and 20 seconds.

"Do you know what's mad?" said the star, 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. Think about scoring a late goal'.

"I thought it against Villa, and I failed to find the net. I said it against the Hammers and I didn't score.

"Today, I really thought the same thing again and I put it in. I ran to where my mum and dad were, so it was special."

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

'Not playing for England isn't deep'

Sunday's game was Grealish's last for a few weeks - having just managed to put together six straight Premier League starts for the first time in nearly two and a half years.

He will be ineligible to face his owning team Manchester City when Everton return to action after the fixture pause on 18 October.

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

"You know what?" he shared with the radio station after the Crystal Palace game, "it's not as serious as people make out."

"At the end of the day, you want to play for the national team but others are doing well in my role. I'm doing well also, but the players selected last month did really well in the two games so I accept that with me.

"That's the manager's decision and I fully respect that."

Grealish continued: "I'm focused on playing for Everton because they are the ones that put their trust in me and believed in me, so I'm really enjoying it here."

But, former England striker the legendary forward 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," commented Rooney, who scored 53 goals in more than a hundred games for the national team.

"I'm sure if he maintains that he will be there or thereabouts come the tournament.

"If Jack plays, his ability will show, so I'm sure he'll be posing the England manager a dilemma."

'In the right place'

The midfielder in play for Everton

The attacker featured in several top division games last season - he's started six since moving to Goodison Park in the summer.

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

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

"Jack knows that I see how influential he is for Everton and that he is on his path to be the top form of himself."

In Grealish's seven league games since arriving on a temporary deal from Manchester City, he has played significant game time, had five goal involvements, set up 17 chances and had 10 shots.

"He's been excellent again," remarked manager David Moyes after his team's first win since late August.

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

"Iliman Ndiaye's cross was fantastic and the forward should have scored. But Grealish is positioned well to get the goal."

Moyes disclosed 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 lot of good things."

Grealish was not the only player excluded from the manager's national squad who succeeded to score this weekend.

The forward netted again for the Spanish giants - although they were beaten 4-1 at Sevilla - while the midfielder got a goal in Manchester United victory over Sunderland on the weekend.

Jesse Murphy
Jesse Murphy

A passionate writer and tech enthusiast sharing insights on innovation and personal development.