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Jack Grealish has confirmed that the current campaign has ended early after surgery on a serious foot injury, dealing a major setback to Everton’s Premier League push and also ending any possibility of England involvement for the World Cup under Thomas Tuchel this summer.
The Manchester City player, who has spent this season on loan at Everton, sustained the problem last month during the Toffees’ 1-0 victory over former club Aston Villa, and the operation now rules the 30-year-old out of the remainder of the 2025-26 schedule.
Before the setback, Grealish had become a central figure in David Moyes’ side, having made 22 appearances in all competitions, with two goals and six assists, and those eight direct goal contributions were more than any other
Everton player in 2025-26, with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, only just back from injury, next on seven.
Everton currently sit eighth in the Premier League table, six points adrift of fifth-placed Chelsea prior to facing Bournemouth on Tuesday, and Grealish’s absence could affect their attacking fluency because no team-mate has created more top-flight chances this season, while only one player has matched Grealish’s dribbling productivity.
| Player | Club | Season | Appearances (all comps) | Goals | Assists | Goal involvements (Everton) | Premier League chances created | Premier League dribbles completed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jack Grealish | Everton (loan from Manchester City) | 2025-26 | 22 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 38 | 37 |
| Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall | Everton | 2025-26 | - | - | - | 7 | - | - |
| Iliman Ndiaye | Everton | 2025-26 | - | - | - | - | - | 37 |
In league play, Grealish has produced 38 chances, the highest figure for any Everton player, while only Iliman Ndiaye, on 37 successful dribbles, has completed more in that category than Grealish’s 37, highlighting how much ball progression and creativity Everton lose with this injury.
Grealish’s distribution numbers also place the midfielder high in broader Premier League assists charts, as six league assists are bettered only by Manchester City’s Rayan Cherki, with seven, and Manchester United playmaker Bruno Fernandes, with 12, underlining that Everton are losing one of the division’s most productive creators.
Jack Grealish Everton Premier League loan spell and England hopes
The strong form on Merseyside has represented a notable response after Grealish had fallen out of favour under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, and the revived performances had put Grealish into outside contention for Tuchel’s England World Cup squad before surgery removed any chance of summer international involvement.
Grealish has spoken about the frustration of ending the season in the treatment room yet has also stressed determination to return, using an Instagram post to address Everton supporters, team-mates and staff, and to explain the mindset following the successful operation on the foot problem.
"Didn't want the season to end like this, but that's football, gutted. Surgery done and now all focus on getting back fit, Grealish posted to Instagram. I know for sure I will come back fitter, stronger and better than before. The support I've had since coming to this unbelievable club has meant the world to me. The staff, my team-mates and especially the fans have been incredible, and I absolutely love representing this club. I'll be backing the lads all the way and doing everything I can to get back as soon as possible. Thank you again for all the love, it means so much. "
For Everton, the focus now shifts to adjusting attacking plans without Grealish’s creativity and ball-carrying, while Grealish faces a rehabilitation period aimed at returning fitter for club and country interests once recovery is complete.
