Grealish's England Hopes? Toffees Loanee Providing England Manager a Selection Dilemma

'Jack Grealish has been a massive help' - David Moyes

Referee the official had barely sounded the full-time whistle to seal Everton's last-gasp win over the Eagles when the club updated the profile on their X account.

Underneath the team's iconic badge were displayed a short phrase: Grealish Deserves England Call.

It's nearly a year since the attacking midfielder last sported a England shirt in a three-one international win over the Finns in Helsinki under interim manager Lee Carsley.

It will be while longer before the 30-year-old gets the opportunity to play for his country again after being left out from Thomas Tuchel's most recent squad for a friendly against the Welsh next Thursday, followed by a World Cup qualifier in the Baltic nation on 14 October.

However, one aspect remains crystal clear: the playmaker is doing everything he can to play his way into the manager's plans for the upcoming World Cup.

Having delivered four assists in his initial half-dozen Premier League appearances for the Blues, the midfielder scored the 93rd-minute winner to secure his team's comeback victory after Dean Henderson had saved the striker from point-blank range.

Recorded at 92 minutes and 21 seconds, it was Everton's most recent home league winning goal since March 2022 against Newcastle - deep into added time.

"Do you know what's mad?" said the star, speaking to broadcasters after the match.

"The last games we've played here we've been drawing and I've thought in the 85th minute, 'come on Jack, go and score. Think about scoring a late goal'.

"I said it against Aston Villa, and I failed to find the net. I repeated it against West Ham and I didn't score.

"Today, I actually said the same thing again and I scored. I ran to where my mum and dad were, so it was special."

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'Not playing for England isn't deep'

Sunday's game was Grealish's last for three weeks - having just managed to put together six straight league starts for the initial occasion in almost 30 months.

He will be ineligible to face his owning team City when Everton return to action after the international break on 18 October.

It's over eight months before the start of the global tournament. Will Grealish be included on the national team flight?

"You know what?" he told BBC Radio 5 Live after the Palace game, "I don't think as serious as everyone says."

"Ultimately, you aspire to play for the national team but people are performing strongly in my role. I'm also performing also, but the players picked previously did really well in the two games so I accept that with me.

"That's the manager's decision and I fully respect that."

He continued: "My priority is playing for this club because they are the ones that put their trust in me and had confidence in me, so I'm thoroughly loving it here."

But, ex-international Wayne Rooney informed the media that the player's performances for Everton will be creating Tuchel a "selection problem".

"The only thing for him is keep doing what he is achieving, obviously scoring a goal today," said Rooney, who scored over fifty strikes in 120 appearances for England.

"I'm sure if he keeps doing that he will be in contention come the tournament.

"If Jack plays, his talent will show, so I'm confident he'll be posing the national coach a headache."

'Johnny-on-the-spot'

Jack Grealish in play for his loan club

Jack Grealish featured in several Premier League matches last season - he's started six since moving to Goodison Park in August.

The England manager maintains the opportunity exists for the playmaker, who has numerous international appearances and several strikes for his country, in terms of the global competition next summer.

"There's invariably a way back into the squad," the England boss said on Friday.

"He is aware that I see how influential he is for the team and that he is on his way to be the top form of himself."

During his several league games since joining on a temporary deal from Manchester City, he has played 556 minutes, had multiple contributions, set up 17 chances and had several attempts.

"He's been excellent again," remarked manager David Moyes after his side's initial victory since late August.

"I've been urging him to get goals. He is Johnny-on-the-spot.

"Iliman Ndiaye's cross was fantastic and the forward should have scored. But Grealish is in and around to score the goal."

Moyes disclosed the player had skipped training during the week because of a slight issue, noting: "He's needed to miss the occasional session of training but he is doing a many good things."

The midfielder was not the only player left out from the manager's England squad who succeeded to score this round of fixtures.

Marcus Rashford scored once more for the Spanish giants - although they were defeated four-one at Sevilla - while Mason Mount scored in United's 2-0 win over the Black Cats on the weekend.

Lisa Pacheco
Lisa Pacheco

A certified accountant with over 10 years of experience in financial consulting and digital finance trends.