Grealish for England? Toffees Borrowed Star Providing Tuchel a Selection Dilemma

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

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

Below the team's iconic badge were displayed a short phrase: England Needs Grealish.

It is almost a year since Jack Grealish last wore a Three Lions shirt in a three-one international win over Finland in the Finnish capital under caretaker manager Lee Carsley.

And it will be some time before the veteran player receives the chance to represent his country again after being omitted from the England boss's latest squad for a friendly against the Welsh next midweek, followed by a World Cup qualifier in the Baltic nation on 14 October.

But one thing remains perfectly evident: the playmaker is doing all in his power to force his way into Tuchel's plans for next summer's World Cup.

Having delivered several key passes in his initial half-dozen top-flight appearances for Everton, Grealish netted the 93rd-minute winner to seal his team's comeback victory after Dean Henderson had saved Beto from close quarters.

Timed at the 92nd minute, it was Everton's latest home league winning goal since spring 2022 against the Magpies - 98 minutes and 20 seconds.

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

"Our recent matches we've played here we've been tied and I've thought in the 85th minute, 'come on Jack, go and score. Think about scoring a late goal'.

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

"This time, I really thought the same thing again and I put it in. I sprinted towards where my parents were, so it was nice."

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'Not playing for England isn't deep'

Sunday's game was the midfielder's last for a few weeks - having only recently to put together six straight league starts for the first time in almost 30 months.

He is ineligible to face his parent club City when Everton resume play after the international break on 18 October.

It's over eight months before the kickoff of the World Cup. Will Grealish be included on the England plane?

"You know what?" he told BBC Radio 5 Live after the Crystal Palace game, "it's not as serious as everyone says."

"At the end of the day, you want to play for the national team but people are performing strongly in my position. I'm also performing also, but the players picked last month did really well in the recent matches so I accept that with me.

"The coach makes the choices and I fully respect that."

Grealish continued: "My priority is playing for Everton because that's who showed faith in me and had confidence in me, so I'm really enjoying it here."

But, former England striker Wayne Rooney told BBC Sport that the player's performances for Everton will be creating the England boss a "headache".

"All Jack can do is continue performing what he is doing, clearly scoring a winner today," commented the pundit, who scored 53 goals in 120 appearances for England.

"I believe if he maintains that he will be in contention come the tournament.

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

'Johnny-on-the-spot'

The midfielder in action for Everton

Jack Grealish featured in seven Premier League matches last season - he's started six since joining Everton in August.

Tuchel insists the door remains open for the playmaker, who has numerous international appearances and several strikes for his country, in terms of the World Cup next summer.

"There is always a route back into the camp," the England boss stated on Friday.

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

During his seven league games since arriving on a season-long loan from Manchester City, he has logged 556 minutes, had multiple contributions, created 17 chances and had 10 shots.

"Jack's done great again," said manager the coach after his team's first win since late August.

"I have been urging him to get goals. 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 score the goal."

Moyes disclosed Grealish had skipped training during the week because of a minor injury, noting: "He's needed to miss the odd day of training but he is doing a many good things."

The midfielder was not the sole individual left out from the manager's England squad who succeeded to score this round of fixtures.

The forward netted again for the Spanish giants - although they were beaten four-one at Sevilla - while the midfielder scored in United's victory over the Black Cats on Saturday.

Harry Smith
Harry Smith

A seasoned journalist with a passion for uncovering stories that matter, bringing years of experience in UK media and a keen eye for detail.