Jack Grealish is set to make his first start for Everton at their new Hill Dickinson Stadium, marking a significant moment for both the player and the club. After a disappointing opening day defeat at Leeds United, where Grealish featured for only the final 20 minutes, he now has the opportunity to inject much-needed creativity into Everton's forward line.
The 29-year-old, a high-profile summer signing under David Moyes, is expected to bring a spark to a team that has struggled offensively during pre-season. His inclusion offers a glimmer of hope amidst Everton's ongoing injury woes, with key players like Vitalii Mykolenko, Jarrad Branthwaite, and Nathan Patterson sidelined.
Despite the excitement surrounding Grealish's debut, Moyes faces challenges in assembling a cohesive defense. The absence of key defenders forces him to deploy players out of position, with center backs Jake O'Brien, James Tarkowski, and Michael Keane all starting. James Garner is likely to fill in at left back.
Grealish will support Thierno Barry, who gets the nod ahead of Beto, alongside Iliman Ndiaye. The starting XI is expected to be: Pickford; O’Brien, Tarkowski, Keane, Garner; Ndiaye, Dewsbury-Hall, Iroegbunam, Gueye; Grealish, Barry.
Grealish's Journey: From Villa Park to Goodison Park
Before joining Everton, Grealish spent time at Manchester City, where he adapted to Pep Guardiola's system. However, he never fully conformed to Guardiola's vision. Now at Everton, he hopes to rediscover the joy he had on the pitch during his time at Aston Villa, where he was a beloved figure. He inspired them to promotion, helped them avoid relegation, and established themselves as a Premier League side.
A New Chapter at Everton
Grealish's move to Everton represents a fresh start, a chance to reignite his career and showcase his talent in a new environment. Can he live up to the expectations and become a key player for the Toffees? Only time will tell, but his first start at the Hill Dickinson Stadium is a promising sign.