By Fatma Younis
Everton have excluded winger Jack Grealish from their squad for the Carabao Cup tie against Newcastle United after he missed a training session, a breach the club described as a violation of discipline. The 31-year-old former England international, who rejoined Everton on transfer deadline day in August 2025, now faces a critical period to regain the trust of manager David Moyes and the club hierarchy.
Background and Return to Everton
Grealish initially joined Everton on loan from Manchester City in 2024 but saw his spell cut short by a serious foot injury. His permanent return this summer was celebrated by fans, and he cited Moyes as the decisive factor in choosing Merseyside. The move carried high stakes for both player and manager, with Everton left with only 18 senior players after a difficult transfer window.
Discipline Breach and Club Response
The club announced Grealish's omission shortly before the Newcastle match, citing a "breach of club discipline" after he failed to attend Monday's training. Everton's decision to publicize the reason underscored the seriousness of the transgression. Grealish, who became British football's first £100 million player when he moved from Aston Villa to City in 2021, has held talks with club officials and was warned there must be no repeat under Moyes, known as a strict disciplinarian.
Moyes' Reaction and Team Performance
Moyes declined to elaborate on the incident after Everton's 3-1 victory, which secured a quarter-final against League Two side Fleetwood Town. He emphasized the squad's adherence to club values and praised the team's humility. The win featured a dynamic performance from 20-year-old Tyrique George on the left flank, a position Grealish might have occupied.
Grealish's Past Issues and Character
Grealish's form this season has been underwhelming, with no goals or assists in eight appearances across both clubs. He missed the previous league game at Arsenal due to illness. Off the pitch, he is popular within the dressing room and made a £10,000 donation to a GoFundMe campaign for Everton fan Leon Skapars, who is battling cancer. However, past incidents include being photographed asleep at a Manchester rooftop bar in April, a lockdown breach fine at Aston Villa in March 2020, and careless driving convictions in November 2020.
Future Uncertainty
With Everton's squad thin and Moyes unwilling to tolerate indiscipline, Grealish faces a "now or never" moment to salvage his career at the top level. The club does not consider this the final chance, but the pressure is mounting for the player to justify the faith placed in him.
