Everton know that a win over Coventry City in the Premier League on Friday evening would take them level with Chelsea in the top four.
After back-to-back wins over Newcastle United, first in the Carabao Cup and then at St. James’ Park in the league, the Toffees have defied their shoddy summer transfer window, retaining the culture and sense of community that David Moyes has spent two years crafting on Merseyside.
That family feeling has taken a bit of a hit, though, with Jack Grealish currently suspended for disciplinary reasons after skipping training last week.
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How Everton are doing without Jack Grealish
Everton won’t have Grealish to call upon against Coventry, but they have demonstrated over the past few games their capacity to impress without the experienced playmaker in their team.
Back at the Hill Dickinson on loan once again this year, Grealish scored twice and provided six assists for the Evertonians last year. His season was cut short in January due to a foot injury, but he impressed, a talismanic force from the left flank, creating no end of chances for his teammates.
He enjoyed a less emphatic start to his second year on Merseyside, but Grealish is still a big miss, and the fact Moyes has been so coy about the timeline regarding the attacking midfielder’s absence is concerning, and maybe rather telling too.
The international break might actually come at the perfect time. Grealish is far from consideration for Thomas Tuchel and the Three Lions, so he might use this period to burn bridges and work his way into Moyes’ plans once again.
That said, Everton still need to replace the 31-year-old.
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How Everton can replace Grealish
Grealish is a big personality whose fleet-footed dribbling and creativity on the ball provides for Everton an edge that no other can replicate with the same success. Now that Iliman Ndiaye is plying his trade for Manchester City, his importance is even greater.
All this said, there’s no question that Everton need players who are going to support the club in their bid to qualify for Europe and defy the many doubters. With that in mind, it might be worth giving Hayden Hackney more of a chance to shine.
He’s not cut from the same cloth as Grealish, but the £16m summer signing from Middlesbrough has creativity in abundance, and a desire to progress play from midfield that could complement Tyrique George’s flashy dribbling out on the left wing.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has also stepped up, ever more focal in his role as the leading man. Thierno Barry scores goals, but oh how he misses many chances besides; the French striker needs reliable creativity to ensure he continues to raise that tally.
|
Premier League Form (26/27) |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Stats (* per 90) |
George |
Grealish |
|
Matches (starts) |
9 (6) |
6 (3) |
|
Goals + Assists |
1 + 0 |
0 + 0 |
|
Touches* |
36.0 |
33.5 |
|
Shots (on target)* |
1.4 (0.3) |
0.7 (0.3) |
|
Accurate passes* |
20.2 (88%) |
21.7 (84%) |
|
Big chances created |
2 |
3 |
|
Key passes* |
1.1 |
1.5 |
|
Succ. dribbles* |
1.7 (56%) |
0.2 (20%) |
|
Ball recoveries* |
2.4 |
2.7 |
|
Def. contributions* |
1.3 |
1.4 |
|
Duels won |
3.1 (49%) |
2.2 (46%) |
Everton have a small squad, but they do still have options. Even so, Moyes needs to convince the wantaway owners to provide some financial support this winter.
After all, another first-team winger needs to be given the Grealish treatment and cut from the starting line-up.
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Everton must give flop the Jack Grealish treatment
Everton do not have a large squad, to be sure, but they still have agency over the players they pick to make a difference in the Premier League.
It’s frustrating to see him struggle, but Brennan Johnson clearly isn’t up to the standard, and with that in mind, must be cut from contention as quickly as possible, replaced by an attacker who has more to offer at the Hill Dickinson.
Everton signed Johnson this summer after his short and less-than-sweet stint with Crystal Palace. Dwight McNeil went the other way, a mutually beneficial swap.
It was only 2025 that Johnson nudged home the winner for Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final, securing a 1-0 win over Manchester United. He scored 17 goals that year, but his midas touch has deserted him, leaving only the shell of an attacker who once promised so much in the English top flight.
There is time for the Wales international to turn things around, of course, but time is already running out. Grealish’s absence will force Everton to accelerate plans to strengthen in attack and out wide which were already classed as ‘Urgent’.
He is so wasteful in the final third, and offers a nominal physical and creative contribution besides. Johnson has completed only one dribble across nine Premier League games for Everton this season. He doesn’t win many duels, and he has created just the one big chance for his teammates.
Grealish needs replacing, sure, but Everton can’t just throw any old player into the berth. Johnson, sadly, isn’t cutting the mustard.
