Jack Grealish caught in 'compromising situation' as Everton doubts emerge
Everton may be having doubts over a deal to sign Jack Grealish after he was spotted drinking to excess again by the tabloids.
That is the opinion of former senior Everton scout, Bryan King, speaking exclusively to Football Insider.
The 30-year-old was caught downing shots while watching England's World Cup quarter-final clash with Norway earlier this month, following another incident in April when he was on camera appearing to have passed out due to alcohol.
Everton are weighing up a move for Grealish, who spent last season on loan on Merseyside and was a breath of fresh air before his season-ending injury in January.
The winger scored two goals and provided six assists in 20 Premier League appearances, and the Toffees may well have qualified for European football if he had not been injured.
Grealish has just one year remaining on his contract at Manchester City and will be available for a cut-price deal, although his wages are significant.
Bryan King reveals Everton doubts
Off-pitch antics have followed Grealish throughout his career, and have been accepted as part of his persona.
The winger was publicly drunk during both Man City title parades in 2023 and 2024, and has been caught by the tabloids time and time again.
But managers themselves have never been known to take any significant issue with Grealish, suggesting that when it comes to training, he remains committed.
"I don't think he's done himself any favours as well, has he? I saw him pictured in the paper drunk again," King told Football Insider.
"It looked as though he was in a warm place, but he was caught falling asleep and drinking again. They're not the signs you want if you're going to spend a lot of money on bringing a player into your football club, because that's the second time he's been caught this year In that kind of compromising situation.
"His first priority is to get himself fully fit. I certainly can't see him going back and playing for Man City, that is for sure. So, if the deal's there, are you going to do it or are you not?"
What has Grealish said about off-pitch antics?
Grealish's career has not exactly worked out the way he would have hoped.
The 30-year-old has won several major titles and has been hugely successful, but the young player at Aston Villa undoubtedly could have gone on to do more.
His off-pitch activities have often been blamed for that, but injuries and the wrong moves are likely more prominent reasons.
"People go, ‘he likes to go out, likes to party’ – and I do. I want to be able to enjoy myself. But there’s a time & place," he said last year.
"I’ll be honest, I haven’t picked the right times. At Man City, I didn’t help myself at times, I’ll openly say that – but I don’t think it was all down to that…”