Grealish for England? Everton Borrowed Star Providing Tuchel a Selection Dilemma

Match official Michael Salisbury had barely sounded the final whistle to seal Everton's dramatic late win over the Eagles when the club updated the profile on their X account.

Below the club's famous badge appeared three words: Grealish Deserves England Call.

It's nearly a year since Jack Grealish last wore a England shirt in a three-one international win over Finland in Helsinki under caretaker manager Lee Carsley.

It will be while longer before the 30-year-old receives the opportunity to play for his national team again after being left out from Thomas Tuchel's latest squad for a friendly against Wales next midweek, followed by a qualifying match in the Baltic nation on the 14th of October.

But one thing remains crystal clear: Grealish is doing all in his power to play his way into the manager's plans for next summer's World Cup.

Having delivered several key passes in his first six Premier League appearances for Everton, Grealish netted the late winner to seal his side's comeback victory after Dean Henderson had denied Beto from close quarters.

Recorded at the 92nd minute, it was the club's most recent home Premier League winning goal since spring 2022 against Newcastle - 98 minutes and 20 seconds.

"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 said to myself in the 85th minute, 'push yourself, go and score. Think about scoring a late goal'.

"I thought it against 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 scored. I sprinted towards where my mum and dad were, so it was nice."

• Grealish 93rd-minute winner for Everton ends Palace unbeaten run
• 'Better than I thought' - Moyes praises maverick Grealish after win

'England omission not a big deal'

The weekend's game was Grealish's last for three weeks - having only recently to put together six successive league starts for the initial occasion in almost 30 months.

He is not allowed to face his owning team City when his loan side return to action after the international break on 18 October.

There are over eight months before the kickoff of the global tournament. Will Grealish be included on the national team flight?

"You know what?" he shared with BBC Radio 5 Live after the Palace game, "I don't think as serious as people make out."

"At the end of the day, you aspire to play for the national team but people are doing well in my role. I'm doing well also, but the players picked last month did really well in the recent matches so that's fine with me.

"That's the manager's decision and I completely understand that."

Grealish continued: "I'm focused on playing for Everton because that's who put their trust in me and had confidence in me, so I'm really enjoying it here."

But, ex-international the legendary forward informed BBC Sport that Grealish's form for Everton will be creating Tuchel a "headache".

"The only thing for him is continue performing what he is achieving, obviously getting a winner today," commented Rooney, who scored over fifty strikes in 120 appearances for England.

"I believe if he maintains that he will be there or thereabouts come the summer.

"Should he feature, his talent will show, so I'm confident he'll be giving the England manager a dilemma."

'In the right place'

The England manager maintains the opportunity exists for Grealish, who has 39 caps and several strikes for his nation, in terms of the global competition next season.

"There's invariably a route back into the squad," the England boss stated on Friday.

"He is aware that I see how impactful he is for the team and that he is on his path to be the best version of himself."

During his seven Premier League games since joining on a temporary deal from City, he has played significant game time, had multiple contributions, created 17 chances and had several attempts.

"He's been excellent again," said manager David Moyes after his team's initial victory since 30 August.

"I have 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 Grealish is positioned well to get the goal."

The manager revealed the player had missed training during the week because of a slight issue, noting: "He has had to miss the occasional session of training but he is doing a many good things."

The midfielder was not the only player excluded from Tuchel's national squad who succeeded to score this weekend.

The forward netted again for the Spanish giants - although they were beaten 4-1 at Sevilla - while the midfielder got a goal in United's 2-0 win over Sunderland on the weekend.