Jack Grealish has confirmed he underwent surgery on a stress fracture in his foot, bringing a premature close to a season that had promised a fresh chapter for the midfielder.
The 30‑year‑old, who spent the campaign on a season‑long loan at Everton from Manchester City, suffered the injury on 18 January during a 1–0 victory over his former club Aston Villa.
By then he had already made 22 appearances, scored two goals, and supplied six assists for the Toffees — form that had reignited hopes of an England recall and a shot at the summer’s World Cup.
A player’s frustration and resolve
“Didn’t want the season to end like this but that’s football, gutted,” Grealish wrote on Instagram after the operation.
He added a defiant promise: “Surgery done and now all focus on getting back fit. I know for sure I will come back fitter, stronger and better than before.”
The injury not only ends his club season but also extinguishes any realistic chance of forcing his way into England’s World Cup squad — a bitter blow after a run of performances that had sparked talk of a national team resurgence.
A career of highs and a recent reset
Grealish’s CV is studded with silverware: three Premier League titles, a Champions League, and an FA Cup since his record‑breaking move from Aston Villa to Manchester City in 2021.
Yet the last two seasons have been a rollercoaster — limited starts at City, omission from the Club World Cup squad, and ultimately the loan move to Everton in search of regular football.
At Everton, he found rhythm and appreciation.
“The support I’ve had since coming to this unbelievable club has meant the world to me,” he said, thanking staff, teammates and fans and promising to back the team while he rehabs.
What comes next
Grealish faces a period of recovery and rehabilitation, with the focus now on returning stronger. For Everton, the immediate challenge is to maintain momentum without one of their most creative outlets.
For Grealish, the setback is personal and professional — a test of resilience that he has vowed to meet head‑on.
As he begins the road to recovery, the message is clear: this chapter may have closed early, but the story is far from over.
