Grealish for England? Everton Loanee Giving Tuchel a Selection Dilemma

'Jack Grealish has been a massive help' - Everton Boss

Referee Michael Salisbury had only just blown the final whistle to confirm the Toffees' last-gasp win over the Eagles when the Merseyside outfit updated the profile on their social media.

Underneath the team's iconic badge were displayed three words: Grealish for England.

It's nearly a year since Jack Grealish last sported a Three Lions shirt in a 3-1 Nations League win over Finland in Helsinki under interim manager the former coach.

It will be while longer before the veteran player receives the chance to represent his country again after being left out from Thomas Tuchel's most recent squad for a friendly against the Welsh next midweek, followed by a qualifying match in Latvia on the 14th of October.

But one thing remains crystal clear: the playmaker is doing everything he can to force his way into the manager's plans for the upcoming World Cup.

After providing several key passes in his first six Premier League appearances for the Blues, the midfielder scored the late winner to secure his side's comeback victory after the Palace keeper had saved the striker from point-blank range.

Recorded at the 92nd minute, it was Everton's latest home league winning goal since spring 2022 against the Magpies - deep into added time.

"Do you know what's mad?" remarked the star, speaking to Sky Sports after the match.

"The last games we've played here we've been drawing and I've thought in the closing stages, 'push yourself, go and score. Think about scoring a late goal'.

"I thought it against Villa, and I didn't score. I repeated it against the Hammers and I didn't score.

"This time, I really thought the exact words again and I scored. I ran to where my mum and dad were, so it was special."

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

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

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

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

"Honestly," he told the radio station after the Palace game, "it's not as deep as people make out."

"Ultimately, you want to play for the England side but people are doing well in my role. I'm doing well also, but the people selected previously did exceptionally in the recent matches so that's fine with me.

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

He added: "My priority is playing for this club because they are the ones that showed faith in me and had confidence in me, so I'm really enjoying it here."

However, former England striker Wayne Rooney told BBC Sport that Grealish's form for the Merseysiders will be creating the England boss a "selection problem".

"All Jack can do is keep doing what he is achieving, obviously getting a winner today," said the pundit, who scored 53 goals in more than a hundred games for the national team.

"I'm sure if he keeps doing that he will be there or thereabouts come the summer.

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

'In the right place'

The midfielder in play for his loan club

The attacker featured in seven top division matches last season - he's begun six since moving to Goodison Park in August.

Tuchel maintains the opportunity exists for the playmaker, who has 39 caps and several strikes for his country, in terms of the global competition next season.

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

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

In Grealish's seven league games since joining on a season-long loan from Manchester City, he has logged 556 minutes, had five goal involvements, created 17 chances and had several attempts.

"Jack's done great again," remarked manager the coach after his side's first win since 30 August.

"I have been pushing him to get goals. He is always in the right place.

"The winger's cross was fantastic and Beto should have scored. But Grealish is in and around to get the goal."

The manager revealed the player had missed 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 many good things."

Grealish was not the only player excluded from Tuchel's England squad who managed to find the net this round of fixtures.

The forward scored once more for Barcelona - although they were beaten 4-1 at their opponents - while Mason Mount scored in United's 2-0 win over Sunderland on Saturday.

Brett Werner
Brett Werner

A passionate real estate expert and interior designer with over a decade of experience in luxury properties and home styling.