England Call for Grealish? Everton Borrowed Star Giving England Manager a Selection Dilemma

Jack Grealish 'has helped us an awful lot' - David Moyes

Match official the official had barely blown the full-time whistle to confirm the Toffees' dramatic late win over Crystal Palace when the club changed the bio on their X account.

Underneath the team's iconic badge appeared three words: England Needs Grealish.

It's nearly a year since the attacking midfielder last wore a England shirt in a 3-1 international win over the Finns in Helsinki under interim manager Lee Carsley.

It will be while longer before the 30-year-old receives the opportunity to play for his national team again after being left out from the England boss's latest squad for a exhibition match against Wales next Thursday, followed by a World Cup qualifier in Latvia on the 14th of October.

However, one aspect remains perfectly evident: the playmaker is doing everything he can to play his way into Tuchel's plans for next summer's World Cup.

After providing several key passes in his first six Premier League appearances for the Blues, Grealish netted the 93rd-minute winner to seal his side's comeback victory after Dean Henderson had denied the striker from point-blank range.

Recorded at the 92nd minute, it was the club's most recent home league winning goal since March 2022 against the Magpies - deep into added time.

"Can you believe this?" remarked Grealish, in an interview with Sky Sports after the match.

"The last games we've played here we've been tied and I've said to myself in the closing stages, 'come on Jack, go and score. Think about scoring a late goal'.

"I thought it against Aston Villa, and I failed to find the net. I said it against West Ham and I couldn't convert.

"Today, I really thought the exact words again and I put it in. I sprinted towards where my parents were, so it was nice."

  • Late Grealish strike for Everton ends Palace unbeaten run
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'Not playing for England isn't deep'

Sunday's game was Grealish's last for a few weeks - having just managed to string together six straight league starts for the first time in almost 30 months.

He is not allowed to face his parent club City when his loan side return to action after the international break on 18 October.

It's 249 days before the start of the global tournament. Will Grealish be on board the England plane?

"Honestly," he shared with BBC Radio 5 Live after the Palace game, "I don't think as deep as everyone says."

"At the end of the day, you aspire to play for the England side but people are doing well in my position. I'm doing well also, but the people selected last month did really well in the recent matches so that's fine with me.

"The coach makes the choices and I completely understand that."

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

However, former England striker the legendary forward informed BBC Sport that the player's performances for Everton will be creating Tuchel a "selection problem".

"All Jack can do is keep doing what he is doing, clearly getting a winner today," commented Rooney, who netted 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 giving the England manager a dilemma."

'In the right place'

The midfielder in play for Everton

The attacker featured in seven top division games last season - he's started half a dozen since joining Everton in the summer.

The England manager maintains the door remains open for Grealish, who has numerous international appearances and four goals for his nation, in terms of the World Cup next summer.

"There is always a route back into the squad," the England boss stated on last week.

"He is aware that I recognize how influential he is for Everton and that he is on his path to be the best version of himself."

During his seven Premier League games since arriving on a season-long loan from City, he has logged significant game time, had multiple contributions, set up 17 chances and had several attempts.

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

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

"Iliman Ndiaye's cross was fantastic and Beto should have scored. But Grealish is in and around to score the goal."

Moyes disclosed Grealish had skipped training during the week because of a slight issue, noting: "He has had to miss the odd day of training but he is doing a many good things."

The midfielder was not the only player excluded from Tuchel's national squad who managed to find the net this weekend.

The forward netted again for the Spanish giants - although they were defeated four-one at Sevilla - while the midfielder scored in United's victory over Sunderland on the weekend.

Samantha Tyler
Samantha Tyler

Tech enthusiast and writer passionate about emerging technologies and their impact on society.