What Jack Grealish did after Crystal Palace win spoke volumes as Everton accept transfer fate

Never fall in love with a loan signing, goes the saying, but as Paul Wheelock writes, it's far too late for Everton supporters when it comes to Jack Grealish

Covid feels like another lifetime ago but for many football fans in this country the feeling of normality returning came at Euro 2020. With supporters packing the stands once again, the feelgood factor nearly swept England all the way to the major silverware that has continued to elude them since 1966.

There were heroes everywhere you looked throughout Gareth Southgate’s side - Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, of course, being one.

But perhaps no England player captured the imagination more, or attracted as much adulation, as the man who is now playing his club football alongside Pickford for the Blues.

OPINION

OPINION

Jack Grealish started only one game for the Three Lions at the delayed tournament, which had been put back a year because of the coronavirus pandemic, but that did not stop him from becoming the poster boy for the team and country.

It was partly because of his swashbuckling displays from the substitutes bench but also for his disarmingly honest interviews. Fan recognise themselves in Grealish.

Speaking after his arrival on to the Wembley pitch inspired the 2-0 last-16 win over Germany, the then Aston Villa talisman said: “It’s unbelievable. It’s obviously one of the best feelings ever when they’re calling for your name.

“It’s nice when Villa fans are doing it, but you kind of expect it because you are one of them. But when it’s England fans, it’s different.

“But it’s honestly an unbelievable feeling. I always try and play with a smile on my face because I’m doing what I love.

“But then again, I think if I wasn’t a footballer and I was just with my mates and stuff I would just to be doing what they’re doing. I’d be travelling everywhere watching England, being in pubs and stuff. I’d f****** love it.

“I think I’d be at Boxpark. I’ve seen a few videos of that and it looked unreal, so I think that’s what I’d be doing, because at the end of the day I’m just a normal kid.”

‘Super Jack’ echoed around Wembley before, during and after the victory over Germany, in which Grealish played a big part in both goals.

And on Sunday the same song boomed around his new home, Hill Dickinson Stadium, after netting his first goal for Everton in the most dramatic of fashions to secure a 2-1 triumph over Crystal Palace.

It is fair to suggest that while the Blues deserved huge credit for fighting back in the second half, and sticking at it on a day when they were far from at their best, no-one could have argued had an excellent Palace side, inspired by Adam Wharton, walked away with at least a point to extend their club-record unbeaten run to 20 games.

Wharton, in particular, was magnificent, and with each passing display comes a reminder of a massive missed transfer opportunity for Everton and the other clubs in the North West who long knew about his talents.

But afterwards Grealish made sure to pay a classy gesture to the 21-year-old, whose £22m signing from Blackburn Rovers in February of last year now looks a steal for canny Palace.

Speaking to Sky Sports after his winner, and while spotting the man-of-the-match award that would subsequently be handed to him, Grealish said: “That's what you want to do as winger, I have one goal now and four assists in the Premier League this season.

"That's what I want to do. It was difficult to do that today against such a good team, they have unbelievable players.

“Adam Wharton... I can see the man of the match award there. I think that's coming to me.

"But it should have gone to Adam Wharton because in my opinion he was the best player on the pitch."

That comment spoke volumes about Grealish and the character he is and served only to endear him further to football supporters up and down the country.

But, right now, no-one loves him more than Evertonians.

The 30-year-old has been outstanding since joining on loan from Manchester City and any misgivings over his motivation, fitness or salary have been emphatically banished.

Quite simply he is shaping up to be the hero Everton have been waiting for.

From James Rodriguez to Richarlison and Anthony Gordon, in the final years of Farhad Moshiri’s reign the club was forced to sell the same players whose names were printed on the back of shirts adorned by young Blues across Merseyside and beyond.

But if you have taken one look around Hill Dickinson Stadium in the first five competitive fixtures at Everton’s magnificent new home, you would have seen there is a new favourite.

How long Grealish remains on Merseyside remains to be seen given his loan from City lasts a single season.

There is logic, then, in the saying of ‘never fall in love with a loan player’.

But Evertonians, whether they like it or not, are smitten. And judging by Grealish’s reaction to his winner on Sunday, when he blew kisses to the adoring fans in the South Stand, the feeling is clearly mutual.

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