Grealish for England? Everton Borrowed Star Giving England Manager a Selection Dilemma

Match official Michael Salisbury had barely sounded the final whistle to confirm Everton's last-gasp win over Crystal Palace when the Merseyside outfit changed the bio on their social media.

Below the club's famous badge were displayed a short phrase: Grealish Deserves England Call.

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

It will be while longer before the 30-year-old gets the opportunity to represent his country again after being left out from the England boss's most recent squad for a exhibition match against Wales next midweek, followed by a qualifying match in the Baltic nation on the 14th of October.

However, one aspect remains crystal clear: the playmaker is doing everything he can to play his way into the manager's plans for the upcoming World Cup.

Having delivered four assists in his first six Premier League appearances for Everton, Grealish scored the 93rd-minute winner to secure his side's comeback victory after Dean Henderson had saved Beto from point-blank range.

Timed at the 92nd minute, it was Everton's most recent home league winning goal since spring 2022 against the Magpies - deep into added time.

"Can you believe this?" said the star, speaking to broadcasters after the match.

"The last games we've played here we've been drawing and I've thought in the 85th minute, 'come on Jack, go and score. Think about scoring a late goal'.

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

"This time, I really thought the same thing again and I put it in. I ran to where my mum and dad were, so it was nice."

• Grealish 93rd-minute winner for the Toffees ends Palace unbeaten run
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'England omission not a big deal'

Sunday's game was Grealish's last for three weeks - having only recently to put together six straight league starts for the first time in almost 30 months.

He will be ineligible to face his owning team City when Everton return to action after the fixture pause on 18 October.

There are 249 days before the start of the global tournament. Is Grealish likely to be included on the national team flight?

"You know what?" he shared with BBC Radio 5 Live after the Palace game, "it's not as deep as people make out."

"Ultimately, you aspire to play for the England side but people are performing strongly in my role. I'm doing well also, but the players picked last month did exceptionally in the recent matches so that's fine with me.

"The coach makes the choices and I fully respect that."

He continued: "My priority is playing for Everton because that's who put their trust in me and believed in me, so I'm thoroughly loving it here."

But, former England striker Wayne Rooney told the media that Grealish's form for Everton will be creating the England boss a "headache".

"The only thing for him is keep doing what he is achieving, obviously scoring a goal today," commented the pundit, who scored 53 goals in more than a hundred games for England.

"I'm sure if he maintains that he will be there or thereabouts come the tournament.

"If Jack plays, his ability will shine through, so I'm confident he'll be posing the national coach a headache."

'In the right place'

The England manager insists the opportunity exists for Grealish, who has 39 caps and four goals for his nation, in terms of the World Cup next summer.

"There's invariably a way back into the squad," the national team coach stated on Friday.

"Jack knows that I recognize how influential he is for the team and that he is on his way to be the best version of himself."

In Grealish's several Premier League games since joining on a temporary deal from Manchester City, he has logged 556 minutes, had multiple contributions, set up numerous opportunities and had several attempts.

"Jack's done great again," remarked Everton boss David Moyes after his team's first win since 30 August.

"I've been urging him to score more. He is Johnny-on-the-spot.

"The winger's cross was fantastic and Beto should have scored. But Grealish is positioned well to score the goal."

The manager disclosed Grealish had skipped training during the week because of a slight issue, noting: "He has had to miss the odd day of training but he is doing a many good things."

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

Marcus Rashford scored once more for the Spanish giants - although they were beaten 4-1 at Sevilla - while the midfielder got a goal in Manchester United victory over the Black Cats on Saturday.