- Last weekend Grealish was spotted asleep in a chair at a rooftop bar in Manchester.
- Questions around his professionalism while he is recovering from a foot injury.
- Not new for Grealish but he remains an influential player on the football pitch.
Jack Grealish’s loan move to Everton has been a revelation for David Moyes’ side.
After suffering a foot injury in January, it meant the winger would be sidelined for the rest of the season, proving to be a huge blow for the Toffees.
He has continued his rehabilitation on Merseyside, and a return to the Blues for next season is becoming increasingly likely.
During his recovery, he was recently spotted asleep at a rooftop bar in Manchester, and he has since faced criticism for his lack of professionalism.
While this does not look good, it does not detract from the fact that Everton have a wonderful player in their ranks.
Is Grealish an elite player?
Daniel Taylor from The Athletic pointed out that Grealish used to be linked with moves to Barcelona and Real Madrid, but his years of partying quietened down any interest in the winger.
It is fair to say that the image the ex-Aston Villa captain paints of himself is not one desirable for elite-level managers, who expect perfection both on and off the pitch.
Grealish has admitted his behaviour away from the game could be better, but it does not detract from his character as a likeable person who wants to enjoy life.
This week, the 30-year-old extended his position as Principal Ambassador for Special Olympics Great Britain.
In the clip, he is the same person who was asleep at a bar, and he presents himself here as a role model to millions.
Engaging with the general public with a smile on his face.
The fact is, it doesn’t actually matter whether Grealish considers himself an elite player or not.
He appears happy, and happiness is of utmost importance when you are a star who is under the spotlight 24/7.
A happy Jack Grealish is the ideal Jack Grealish
Taylor also stated there is a difference between the circumstances at Manchester City and the circumstances at Everton.
At City, he would be pushing for trophies in an intense environment, whereas with the Toffees, the stakes are lower.
This is only a fact, and if Grealish was spotted at the rooftop bar while he was playing for Pep Guardiola, the outrage would only be heightened with his side pushing for a domestic treble.
But bringing this situation back to the real world, the winger is starting to recover from his foot injury, and after months of working to get back to fitness, he must have felt he deserved to enjoy a day off at a bar with friends.
At the moment, what Grealish does off the pitch does not greatly impact this Everton side, and the priority for both is to have a player who is ready to give it his all next season.
His loan move from Manchester City has made the 30-year-old look like a winger reborn.
Grealish will know he has made a mistake from his time at the bar in Manchester, but coming down on him does not help anyone.
Yet what will help is ensuring he is in the right headspace to help Everton climb the league table, for which he is going to have a major part in doing.
