Everton has officially confirmed that Jack Grealish is dealing with a stress fracture in his foot, an injury that could sideline the talented winger for approximately two months. The 30-year-old joined the Toffees on a season-long loan from Manchester City at the beginning of the current campaign, hoping to secure more consistent playing time. However, this recent injury threatens to derail his aspirations of being included in England's squad for the upcoming 2026 World Cup.
Grealish Finding His Form at Everton
After a challenging final period at Manchester City, where he often found himself relegated to the bench while manager Pep Guardiola opted for other players, Grealish’s move to Everton was seen as a fresh opportunity. During his initial appearances, the former Aston Villa star made a positive impact, contributing two goals and six assists in 20 Premier League matches, which helped elevate Everton to a mid-table position.
Unfortunately, the situation has taken a turn for the worse in recent weeks. Following reports of a serious foot issue, manager David Moyes confirmed the diagnosis during a press conference ahead of their upcoming match against Leeds United. “It's not for me to give the timescales and we've not had it yet but he's got a stress fracture in his foot – that's all I can tell you," Moyes stated. He acknowledged the significance of Grealish's role in the team, noting that this injury is a substantial setback for Everton, who have been grappling with several other player absences.
World Cup Aspirations in Jeopardy
This injury presents a considerable challenge for Grealish, who has been crucial to Everton's efforts to distance themselves from the relegation zone. As a 39-time capped international, the forward's chances of making England's World Cup roster are now seriously jeopardized. Having not featured under coach Thomas Tuchel since October 2024, when he scored in a Nations League win against Finland, Grealish faces stiff competition from rising talents like Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford, and others.
With the March friendlies against Uruguay and Japan approaching, Grealish's injury means he will likely miss these opportunities to impress Tuchel. Furthermore, even if he returns in time, he will need to showcase exceptional form in the remaining matches to secure a place on the plane to North America this summer.
Positive News Amidst Injury Concerns
While Grealish's absence is undoubtedly a setback, Moyes has received some good news with the return of two key players: Idrissa Gana Gueye and Iliman Ndiaye, who recently concluded their commitments at the Africa Cup of Nations. Additionally, first-team members Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Jarrad Branthwaite are back in training after recovering from their respective injuries, along with Charly Alcaraz. Moyes expressed optimism about the team’s recovery, stating, "Jarrad Branthwaite and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall are back training. But Kiernan is just back in. Charly Alcaraz is back in training as well, so they're certainly getting much closer to it, that's for sure."
Everton is set to face Leeds United on Monday night, coming off a solid performance that resulted in a 1-0 victory against Aston Villa. The team has accumulated eight points from their last five league games, showcasing resilience despite the injury challenges they currently face.
