Jack Grealish data will excite Everton fans after David Moyes promise
David Moyes is confident of getting the best out of Jack Grealish and helping the forward rediscover his Aston Villa form at Everton.
That’s according to Football Insider transfer correspondent Pete O’Rourke, who has been discussing Everton’s chances of landing the 39-time England international this summer after falling out of favour at Manchester City.
“Everton; we know they’re in the market for wingers – I think Grealish would be a very shrewd signing if Everton were able to pull it off,” said O’Rourke.
“David Moyes backs himself to get the best out of Grealish as well and rejuvenate him. We remember the off-the-cuff dazzling player he was at Aston Villa when he had the freedom to cause chaos.”
So, if Moyes is successful in bringing back Villa-era Grealish, what exactly can Evertonians look forward to?
Jack Grealish to rediscover Aston Villa form
Grealish’s final season at Aston Villa was his most productive in terms of direct goal contributions, registering seven goals and 10 assists across all competitions.
16 of those contributions (six goals, 10 assists) came in his 26 Premier League outings, at a rate of 0.62 per match.
That helped Villa finish a competitive 11th, having come 17th the season prior — their first back in the top-flight after three seasons in the Championship.
Grealish was a creative genius that season, with only Bruno Fernandes (95) and Mason Mount (87) creating more than his 81 chances (FotMob) — outperforming even the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Arguably his most useful skill, however, is his ball carrying. Grealish completed 65 dribbles at a 64.4% success rate in 2020/21, drawing 110 fouls and winning two penalties. That left him 22 clear of any other Premier League player for fouls won and ninth in the division for successful take-ons.
Grealish was also second in the Premier League for progressive carries (172) and carries into the opposition penalty area (79, FBref).
Many will point to Grealish’s relatively poor scoring record as a reason to doubt him. After all, 49 goals in 369 combined Man City and Aston Villa appearances — alongside four goals in 39 caps for England — is nothing to write home about.
However, the 29-year-old’s value comes in his ability to create for others and provide his side with an escape clause in possession, driving his team up the pitch with expert dribbling, strength and close control.
Former Everton and Villa CEO backs Grealish under Moyes
Keith Wyness is someone very familiar with both Everton and Jack Grealish, having served as CEO for the Toffees and Villa — working directly with the player at the latter.
He is another who has backed Grealish to be a success at Hill Dickinson Stadium, with Moyes one of the best managers to accentuate his skillset.
| Club | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| Aston Villa | 213 | 32 | 43 |
| Man City | 157 | 17 | 23 |
| Notts County | 39 | 5 | 7 |
| England | 39 | 4 | 8 |
“I really like Jack as a person, and I had a lot of time watching him play. I’ve never seen a player receive a ball and make himself an extra yard in the way that he just controls it. I’m a great fan,” Wyness told Football Insider.
“I think with Moyes giving him a bit more freedom than he might get at City, this would work.
“Now, what I’ve been saying all along, when this first came up a few months ago, is that I think he would like to stay in Cheshire, and Everton would give him that chance to do that. It would be an easy commute for him to come to the training ground at Finch Farm. I think it would give him that stability.
“I know he’s just had a little baby as well with his girlfriend, so I think that may be the situation.