Grealish's England Hopes? Toffees Loanee Providing Tuchel a Selection Dilemma

'Grealish has contributed enormously' - David Moyes

Referee Michael Salisbury had barely sounded the final whistle to confirm the Toffees' last-gasp win over the Eagles when the Merseyside outfit changed the bio on their social media.

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

It is almost a year since Jack Grealish last sported a England shirt in a 3-1 Nations League win over Finland in Helsinki under interim manager Lee Carsley.

It will be some time before the 30-year-old receives the chance to play for his country again after being left out from Thomas Tuchel's latest squad for a friendly against Wales next Thursday, followed by a World Cup qualifier in the Baltic nation on 14 October.

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

Having delivered four assists in his first six Premier League appearances for Everton, the midfielder netted the 93rd-minute winner to secure his side's comeback victory after Dean Henderson had denied the striker from close quarters.

Recorded at 92 minutes and 21 seconds, it was the club's latest home Premier League winning goal since spring 2022 against the Magpies - deep into added time.

"Do you know what's mad?" remarked Grealish, in an interview with broadcasters after the game.

"Our recent matches we've played here we've been drawing and I've said to myself in the 85th minute, 'push yourself, go and score. Imagine if you scored now'.

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

"This time, I actually said the exact words again and I scored. I sprinted towards where my parents were, so it was nice."

  • Grealish 93rd-minute winner for Everton ends Palace unbeaten run
  • 'Exceeding expectations' - the manager praises unpredictable the attacker after win

'Not playing for England isn't deep'

The weekend's game was Grealish's last for a few weeks - having just managed to string together six successive Premier League starts for the initial occasion in almost 30 months.

He will be not allowed to face his owning team Manchester City when his loan side return to action after the fixture pause on 18 October.

There are over eight months before the kickoff of the World Cup. Is Grealish likely to be on board the national team flight?

"Honestly," he shared with the radio station after the Crystal Palace game, "I don't think as serious as everyone says."

"Ultimately, you want to play for the national team but others are performing strongly in my role. I'm also performing also, but the players picked last month did really well in the two games so I accept that with me.

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

He continued: "My priority is playing for Everton because they are the ones that showed faith in me and believed in me, so I'm thoroughly loving it here."

However, ex-international the legendary forward informed the media that Grealish's form for Everton will be giving Tuchel a "headache".

"The only thing for him is continue performing what he is achieving, clearly scoring a goal today," said the pundit, who netted over fifty strikes in 120 appearances for England.

"I believe if he keeps doing that he will be there or thereabouts come the tournament.

"If Jack plays, his talent will show, so I'm confident he'll be giving the England manager a headache."

'Johnny-on-the-spot'

The midfielder in action for his loan club

The attacker featured in seven Premier League games last season - he's begun six since joining Everton in the summer.

The England manager insists the opportunity exists for Grealish, who has numerous international appearances and four goals for his nation, in terms of the World Cup next summer.

"There's invariably a way back into the camp," the national team coach stated on Friday.

"Jack knows that I see how influential he is for Everton and that he is on his way to be the best version of himself."

During his several Premier League games since joining on a season-long loan from City, he has played significant game time, had five goal involvements, created 17 chances and had several attempts.

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

"I have been urging him to score more. He is Johnny-on-the-spot.

"Iliman Ndiaye's cross was fantastic and the forward should have buried it. But Jack is in and around to score the goal."

Moyes disclosed the player had skipped training during the week because of a minor injury, adding: "He's needed to miss the occasional session of training but he is doing a lot of good things."

The midfielder was not the only player left out from Tuchel's England squad who managed to score this weekend.

Marcus Rashford netted again for the Spanish giants - although they were defeated four-one at Sevilla - while the midfielder scored in Manchester United 2-0 win over the Black Cats on the weekend.

Carly Petty
Carly Petty

A passionate writer and thinker sharing personal insights and experiences to inspire others.