Grealish's Everton loan future in doubt after disciplinary breach clouds bright start

Jack Grealish’s second loan spell at Everton has been overshadowed by a disciplinary issue that leaves his future on Merseyside uncertain, after the Manchester City winger was dropped from the squad for the Carabao Cup tie against Newcastle — reportedly for missing a training session.

Everton confirmed only that Grealish had been excluded for “a breach of club discipline”, without elaborating further. It is understood the absence occurred in the five-day window between the 2-0 Premier League defeat to Arsenal and Thursday night’s cup fixture, which Everton won 3-1 without him.

Manager David Moyes declined to expand on the matter after the game. “It is something I don’t want to speak too much about,” he said, though he offered a pointed observation about the club’s standards: “The one thing about Everton is that they have got real good values, all the players stand behind it and accept the values, on the pitch and off the pitch.”

When asked whether Grealish would be available for Monday’s Premier League trip to St James’ Park, Moyes said he “wouldn’t give any team news away”, leaving the situation unresolved.

The timing is particularly awkward for the 31-year-old. Grealish is in the final year of his £300,000-a-week contract with Manchester City and is effectively playing for his professional future. His first loan stint at Everton last season was ended prematurely by a foot injury in January, and his return in September carried the sense of unfinished business. He had responded well, contributing two goals and six assists in 20 appearances in the first half of the 2025/26 campaign.

Moyes had spoken publicly about wanting Grealish to serve as a “senior professional and a role model” for younger wingers Tyrique George and Tyler Dibling — making the disciplinary breach all the more surprising given the trust the manager had placed in him.

Grealish himself had spoken warmly about the move when he re-signed. “It feels so good. I’m so happy,” he said. “I think I’m at my best at everything in life, not just football, when I feel loved. That’s what the manager has given me, what my teammates have given me and especially what the fans have given me.”

Whether that relationship can be repaired quickly enough to secure his place in Moyes’ plans — and potentially a longer-term future away from City — remains to be seen.