Jack Grealish of Manchester City and Richarlison of Tottenham Hotspur have both had their names mentioned in connection with a potential move back to Everton this summer, but should the club pursue either deal?
Richarlison and Jack Grealish
Speculation has emerged regarding the immediate futures of both Jack Grealish and Richarlison, prompting the question of whether one or both could return to Goodison Park this transfer window.
Staff members from the ECHO sports desk share their perspectives…
Christopher Beesley
Before last weekend’s fixture, I would likely have stated without hesitation that Jack Grealish would be an excellent signing. However, my confidence has diminished somewhat.
Following Everton’s concluding pre-season match against Lille, the wide attacking positions appeared adequately covered. Iliman Ndiaye demonstrated exceptional quality on the left side, mirroring the form he produced during his final productive season at Goodison Park when primarily deployed in that position.
Tyrique George, who has shown promising signs throughout pre-season, also favours playing on the left flank. Meanwhile, Tyler Dibling and new arrival Brennan Johnson, both of whom passed up golden opportunities to find the net, prefer operating on the right.
Therefore, while Grealish would undoubtedly strengthen the current Everton squad, significant questions remain about whether his contribution would justify the potential drawbacks. These include limiting game time for the aforementioned younger players and potentially displacing Ndiaye to the opposite flank. The situation becomes even more complex if Ndiaye’s departure occurs, which would alter the entire calculation.
Furthermore, while Dibling showcased glimpses of the talent that made him so highly regarded during his Southampton career, has his pre-season display been sufficiently compelling to satisfy David Moyes?
Regarding Richarlison, my position is unequivocal: a definitive rejection.
The mutual affection between the player and Everton supporters is well documented, though his public displays of affiliation might frustrate Tottenham supporters. Nevertheless, that chapter has concluded. Since his Goodison Park exit, he has struggled with persistent injury problems, and while he retains the ability to influence matches as a substitute, his most productive years likely lie behind him.
The recommendation would be to identify the next Richarlison, ideally still active in Brazilian football, rather than pursuing an emotional reunion with a diminished version of the original.
Paul Wheelock
Earlier this summer, I argued that should the financial terms prove favourable, Everton ought to re-sign Jack Grealish. My stance remains unchanged: he would enhance the squad and, when fully fit, would command a regular starting position.
However, the unexpected acquisition of Brennan Johnson has altered the landscape considerably. Combined with Iliman Ndiaye’s continued presence, Tyrique George’s permanent signing, and Tyler Dibling’s notably improved pre-season performances, the wide positions now appear adequately populated. With the club’s absence from European competition, the necessity for a fifth winger option becomes questionable.
This situation inevitably raises concerns about whether welcoming back Grealish would impede the progression of George and Dibling. A comparable debate emerged last summer, though the Manchester City loanee’s early contributions effectively addressed those doubts. While some argued that the substantial cost of Grealish’s loan arrangement provided poor value, particularly given Everton’s 13th-placed finish and the opportunity cost for Dibling’s development, an opposing viewpoint suggests Dibling failed to capitalize sufficiently when provided opportunities. Furthermore, European qualification might have materialised had Grealish avoided his unfortunate injury setback in January.
The unresolved matter of Ndiaye’s long-term future looms large. Although Everton maintain a strong negotiating position regarding the Senegalese international, transfer speculation continues linking the club to alternative wide attacking options beyond merely Grealish. A concerning possibility exists that one of the Premier League’s wealthier clubs might submit a substantial offer before the September 1 deadline.
Should such a scenario unfold and Everton secure the considerable transfer fee his departure would generate, pursuing Grealish through another loan arrangement would represent a sensible strategy, assuming the previous temporary stint proved mutually beneficial.
Regarding Richarlison, football.london’s Alasdair Gold ranks among the most reliable Tottenham Hotspur correspondents, and this week he clarified that while Everton have not submitted an official bid, the club did explore the possibility of re-signing their former striker during the earlier summer period.
The forward situation demands careful monitoring. While attention remains fixed on identifying a new right-back, developments in the striking department appear imminent, particularly if approaches emerge for Beto. At 27 years old with fewer than 12 months remaining on his contract, Everton will never encounter a more advantageous moment to facilitate his sale. Given Thierno Barry’s encouraging pre-season displays, Beto has slipped to second-choice status in the attacking hierarchy.
Should Beto depart, a replacement would become necessary, and if an opportunity to secure Richarlison on loan materialised, it would merit serious consideration. Despite his injury history, his tally of 12 goals from 43 appearances last season, alongside his pre-season form, indicates he remains a significant threat.
Is sentiment overriding logic in this instance? Possibly. Yet occasionally, that emotional connection forms part of football’s fundamental appeal.