England Call for Grealish? Everton Loanee Giving Tuchel a Headache

Referee the official had only just sounded the final whistle to seal the Toffees' dramatic late win over the Eagles when the club updated the bio on their social media.

Below the team's iconic badge appeared a short phrase: Grealish for England.

It is almost a year since the attacking midfielder last sported a England shirt in a three-one international win over Finland in the Finnish capital under interim manager the former coach.

It will be some time before the 30-year-old gets the chance to play for his country again after being left out from the England boss's most recent squad for a exhibition match against the Welsh next Thursday, followed by a qualifying match in the Baltic nation on 14 October.

But one thing remains perfectly evident: Grealish is doing everything he can to force his way into Tuchel's plans for next summer's World Cup.

Having delivered several key passes in his first six top-flight appearances for Everton, Grealish netted the late winner to secure his side's comeback victory after Dean Henderson had denied the striker from close quarters.

Timed at 92 minutes and 21 seconds, it was the club's latest home Premier League winning goal since spring 2022 against Newcastle - 98 minutes and 20 seconds.

"Do you know what's mad?" said the star, speaking to Sky Sports after the match.

"The last games we've played here we've been tied and I've said to myself in the closing stages, 'come on Jack, go and score. Imagine if you scored now'.

"I thought it against Villa, and I failed to find the net. I repeated it against the Hammers and I couldn't convert.

"Today, I really thought the exact words again and I scored. I sprinted towards where my mum and dad were, so it was nice."

• Late Grealish strike for Everton ends Palace unbeaten run
• 'Better than I thought' - the manager lauds maverick the attacker after win

'Not playing for England isn't deep'

Sunday's game was the midfielder's last for a few weeks - having just managed to string together six successive Premier League starts for the first time in nearly two and a half years.

He will be ineligible to face his parent club Manchester City when his loan side resume play after the fixture pause on October 18.

It's 249 days before the start of the World Cup. Will Grealish be on board the national team flight?

"Honestly," he told the radio station after the Palace game, "I don't think as serious as everyone says."

"Ultimately, you want to play for the England side but others are doing well in my role. I'm also performing also, but the people picked last month did exceptionally in the two games so that's fine with me.

"The coach makes the choices and I completely understand that."

Grealish added: "I'm focused on playing for this club because they are the ones that showed faith in me and had confidence in me, so I'm really enjoying it here."

However, ex-international the legendary forward told the media that the player's performances for the Merseysiders will be giving the England boss a "selection problem".

"The only thing for him is continue performing what he is achieving, clearly scoring a winner today," commented the pundit, who scored over fifty strikes in more than a hundred games for England.

"I believe if he maintains that he will be in contention come the tournament.

"If Jack plays, his ability will shine through, so I'm confident he'll be giving the England manager a headache."

'Johnny-on-the-spot'

The England manager maintains the opportunity exists for Grealish, who has numerous international appearances and four goals for his country, in terms of the global competition next summer.

"There is always a way back into the camp," the England boss said on Friday.

"Jack knows that I recognize how impactful he is for Everton and that he is on his way to be the top form of himself."

During his seven Premier League games since arriving on a temporary deal from Manchester City, he has played 556 minutes, had multiple contributions, set up 17 chances and had 10 shots.

"Jack's done great again," said Everton boss the coach after his team's initial victory since 30 August.

"I've been pushing him to get goals. He is always in the right place.

"Iliman Ndiaye's cross was fantastic and Beto should have buried it. But Jack is positioned well to get the goal."

The manager disclosed Grealish had skipped training during the week because of a minor injury, adding: "He's needed to miss the occasional session of training but he is doing a lot of good things."

Grealish was not the sole individual left out from Tuchel's national squad who succeeded to find the net this round of fixtures.

The forward scored once more for Barcelona - although they were defeated 4-1 at Sevilla - while Mason Mount scored in United's victory over Sunderland on Saturday.