Everton have completed the signing of Jack Grealish on a season-long loan from Manchester City.
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Troy Deeney has tipped Jack Grealish to thrive at Everton as he will have his shackles taken off him.
The 29-year-old has moved to the Toffees on a season-long loan from Manchester City. Grealish cost City a then-British record fee of £100 million when he signed from Aston Villa in 2021. And despite winning three Premier Leagues, the Champions League and FA Cup at the Etihad Stadium, he fell down the pecking order.
Last season. the forward made just seven league starts and was left on the bench for the FA Cup loss to Crystal Palace. Grealish was also omitted from Pep Guardiola’s squad for the Club World Cup.
There are some who feel that Grealish’s mercurial style was stifled by Guardiola. But he joins an Everton team who are desperate for attacking spark and Deeney believes that David Moyes will give Grealish freedom in the No.10 role.
Former Watford striker Deeney also admitted that he was surprised that Tottenham Hotspur did not try to sign the England international after James Maddison sustained an ACL injury which will keep him out for most of the season. But it can very much be Everton’s advantage.
What’s been said
Speaking on talkSPORT, Deeney said: “I love it for Jack. I think him going to play for David Moyes, who is seen to have a structured team but likes his forward players to go and express themselves. It is perfect for him.
“I am surprised that Spurs haven't gone in and got Jack, if I am being totally honest. But it's a really good landing spot for Everton and Jack. I think it's Spurs being a bit too tight. Spurs always try to get a young player, a cheaper one and then they go: I can't believe we don't win anything' it's the same every year.
“For Jack, he needs to play, it's a World Cup year. Last year, he was harshly treated at times by Pep and that's gone on previous behaviour which he has been rewarded for. But Jack will be buzzing. He's at a team where he knows David Moyes will play him, Everton going into a new stadium, there is so much expectation. It'll be like going back to Villa in a sense. He'll be a massive player rather than a small part at Man City.
“I think so (it's important Grealish plays in the middle). Everton play [Iliman] Ndiaye off the left and he was excellent at the back end of last year. I think he will play in the No.10, let him go and roam. With someone like Jack, he's charismatic in his life, he is outspoken and does what he does. Just let him be free. Everton have got that defensive structure and solid foundation. Just let him play football and you'll see the best version of him. For all the good stuff Pep Guardiola does, he kind of put him in a box and we didn't see the best of Jack Grealish.”