Alan Shearer believes that there are ‘one or two question marks’ over Jack Grealish following his move to Everton after a disappointing end to his Manchester City career.
Grealish completed the formalities of his season long-loan from the Etihad this week and trained at the Toffee’s Finch Farm base for the first time. He could make his eagerly-awaited debut at Leeds on Monday night.
Everton have the option to buy Grealish in 12 months’ time, for a fee less than the £50m that has been mooted. He has also taken a considerable wage cut to move to Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Having failed to feature regularly for Pep Guardiola last term, Grealish’s switch looks to be a win-win for the parties involved.
The Shearer has cautioned against rampant optimism and admitted that the England star must answer some questions about his fitness and desire to compete after a dismal end to life in Manchester.
‘I’m just guessing and looking from the outside, but I think he’s had a tricky time with the number of players, and one or two things that Pep didn’t like off-field,’ the Premier League’s all-time top scorer told Betfair.
Alan Shearer believes that there are ‘one or two question marks’ over Jack Grealish following his move to Everton
Grealish completed the formalities of his season long-loan from the Etihad this week and trained at the Toffee’s Finch Farm base for the first time
‘If he couldn’t get into the team last season when they were really poor, by their very own high standards, didn’t win anything and weren’t winning games, then I guess once that happens both parties had to look for an exit and it was always whether it would be a loan or permanent.
‘I guess someone somewhere had to take a look at him and see whether the belief, hunger, drive and all of those things are still there.
‘There are one or two question marks, whether Jack likes it or not, because he hasn’t played football regularly for such a long time. Everton have taken a chance on him now and he’s got the chance to get his career back on track.’
Despite his recent struggles, Grealish’s arrival represents something of a coup for David Moyes’ side, who have found it difficult to add to their numbers in a summer of change on Merseyside.
Admittedly, the 29-year-old is two years removed from his impressive 2022-23 campaign but he will no doubt be motivated to recapture that form with the World Cup at the end of the season.
‘A fully fit, focused Jack Grealish is a very, very good player and will be an asset to most teams,’ added Shearer. ‘He’s going to be working with a great manager in David Moyes, going into a new ground with great expectations, new hope for Everton because they’ve signed a few players.
‘He’s got a chance to get his career back on track and it’s a great chance at a huge football club, in a new stadium with a very, very experienced manager. Let’s see what that brings.
‘He needs to show the energy, hunger and desire that he showed at Aston Villa and when he went to Man City.
Grealish failed to earn a place in Guardiola team in a year when City struggled for much of the campaign
‘Whether we ever saw the brilliant individual Jack Grealish at Man City that we did at Aston Villa I’m not sure but we saw a great team player who helped them win all the trophies that they have done.
‘There’s no doubt the individual brilliance is there, it has to come out at Everton now. They’re looking to be bigger and better than in the past so not only is it a big opportunity for him but it’s big for Everton.
‘David Moyes will be demanding that Jack gives everything he’s got because he’s an experienced guy, he’s been around the block and he knows what makes players tick. He’s done it all before and he understands the game, dressing room and individuals because he’s worked with enough and he’s an experienced manager.’