Tactical Analysis: Jack Grealish at Everton (2025-26)
Jack Grealish joined Everton on loan from Manchester City for the 2025-26 Premier League season, seeking regular playing time after limited minutes at City. Under David Moyes, Grealish has been given greater tactical freedom than he experienced under Pep Guardiola, a key factor in his early form rebound. Moyes’s simple yet effective guidance, “when you get the ball, go and play,” encapsulates his freedom of expression within team shape.
This tactical liberty has seen Grealish deployed primarily on the left flank, a return to his more natural position where he can influence play in advanced areas while still drifting inside. Under Moyes, he is expected to:
- Provide creative impetus and chance creation
- Carry the ball forward aggressively
- Stretch defenses, especially in transition
- Contribute to build-up play with penetrating runs
Positioning & Movement
Everton’s setup has allowed Grealish to operate primarily from left attacking zones, but with permission to drift centrally when the situation demands it. This hybrid positioning:
- Exploits his strength in 1v1 situations
- Makes him unpredictable for defenders
- Creates space for overlapping runs from fullbacks
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Grealish’s wider starting position also mitigates Everton’s occasional struggles with midfield control, allowing him to provide direct forward momentum. Once in possession, Grealish often drifts inside into pockets between center-backs and fullbacks, a movement that:
- Opens up passing lanes to runners from deep
- Allows him to combine with attacking midfielders like Dewsbury-Hall and Alcaraz
- Gives Everton a positional overload near the box
This movement is similar to how he operated earlier in his career at Aston Villa, aligning with Moyes’s tactical reliance on creative individuality.
Ball Progression & Carrying
One of the most striking aspects of Grealish’s tactical profile is his ball progression. According to Premier League analysis, Grealish is by some distance Everton’s most prolific ball carrier:
- 16.99 ball carries per 90 minutes
- 9.18 progressive ball carries per 90 minutes
These figures are significantly higher than his teammates, giving Everton a distinct dynamic in advancing play.
This style benefits Everton’s transitional play:
- Winning fouls in advanced positions becomes a reliable way to reset play.
- Carries draw defenders, creating space for teammates.
- Progressive carries help Everton break lines even against deep blocks.
He is also among the league leaders in progressive carries and carries into the penalty area, showing an aggressive vertical approach rather than lateral or conservative ball circulation.
Creativity & Chance Creation
Grealish’s creative output this season has been historically strong:
- He recorded four assists in his first three league games, earning the Premier League Player of the Month award early in the season, a personal career first.
- He became the first Everton player to register 2+ assists in consecutive PL matches.
His creative instincts manifest in:
- Key passes
- Drawing defenders out of position
- Overloading half-spaces
He has also been fouled more than any other player in the league, a testament to both his dribbling and how defenders struggle to contain him without risking fouls. This ability to force mistakes from opponents is tactically valuable, it results in set-pieces in dangerous positions and can disrupt structured defenses.
Involvement in Build-Up Play
While previously at Manchester City his game was more constrained by a possession-oriented style, at Everton, Grealish’s role in build-up is more direct:
- Short, penetrative passes rather than slow circulation
- Ball retention with forward bias
- Link-up play with midfield and forwards
There has been a slight reduction in total passes compared to a possession system, but an increase in effective forward and key passes. His decision-making when progressing play is cleaner and more purposeful under Moyes’s tactical mandate.
Defensive Contributions
Though not his primary strength, Grealish’s defensive numbers show increased involvement:
- Tackles and duels won demonstrate a willingness to press
- Recoveries and interceptions suggest tactical adaptation to Everton’s transitional demands
His defensive engagement is higher than it was in a purely attacking system at City, implying tactical adjustment and greater team integration.
Statistical Overview (2025-26)
Across competitive matches this season:
- 20 Premier League appearances
- 2 goals & 6 assists (totaling 8 goal contributions)
- Strong involvement in duels and recoveries
- Consistent progressive play and chance creation
These numbers reflect a significant impact relative to Everton’s overall team performance, a team without elite creation otherwise would struggle to produce goals. Grealish’s output often accounts for a disproportionate share of attacking threat.
Strengths in Moyes’s System
Creative Liberty
This is arguably Grealish’s biggest asset, Moyes gives him the freedom to receive and drive, unlike at Manchester City.
Transitional Threat
His ability to carry the ball quickly helps Everton exploit counter-attacks and open phases:
- Draws defenders
- Creates space behind
- Facilitates quick switches of play
Chance Creation
By combining dribbling, vision, and passing, Grealish routinely produces high-value attacking actions.
Limitations & Challenges
While his early season form was exceptional, there are emerging tactical concerns:
Consistency
Some observers note that Grealish becomes less influential at times, especially when opponents neutralise his central movement.
Support Structure
Everton’s tactical support, particularly from wide defenders and central midfield, can be inconsistent, which sometimes leaves Grealish’s creative efforts isolated. This is especially true when the team lacks coherent support to his dribbling and passing.
Injury Issues
Reports indicate Grealish sustained a foot injury and is expected to miss the remainder of the season, which has significant tactical implications for Everton’s attacking structure and highlights the fragility of their reliance on him.
Summary: Tactical Profile & Conclusion
Jack Grealish’s 2025-26 season at Everton has been characterized by:
Positional Freedom
A left-side role with licence to drift centrally and create play.
High-Impact Ball Progression
Frequent progressive carries and high involvement in forward transitions.
Creative Efficiency
Assists, key passes, and drawn fouls underline his tactical influence.
Adaptation to Defensive Responsibility
More engagement in defensive phases than in his recent City years.
Strategic Importance
His presence elevates Everton’s attacking potential, while his absence due to injury starkly illustrates how central he has become to their tactical approach.
By: Xhulio Zeneli
Featured Image: @GabFoligno / Adam Davy – PA Images