Gareth Barry explains why David Moyes is getting more out of Jack Grealish than Pep Guardiola was

Add as preferred source on Google

Everton’s superb start to the season is no surprise after the influx of attacking talent that they brought in over the summer transfer window, and Jack Grealish has been at the epicentre of their strong results to open the campaign.

The Toffees feel as though they have been in annual Premier League relegation battles for quite a while now.

Having been embroiled in danger during the 2021-22 campaign where they survived on the penultimate day of the campaign, final day survival was their saviour the following year, as well as suffering a points deduction in 2023-24.

That trend continued last season under Sean Dyche, with the Merseyside club being on just 17 points at the turn of the year when Dyche was sacked and replaced with returning boss David Moyes.

However, the Scot’s arrival has seen Everton put any Championship thoughts behind them, turning their fortunes around last season before embarking on a strong start to the current campaign, sitting in eighth during the international break.

And Grealish’s influence during that has been huge, with the Manchester City loanee producing some of the best form of his career, according to former Everton and City star Gareth Barry.

• READ MORE: Wayne Rooney includes £2.5m Everton midfielder in dream side to partner Paul Scholes

Gareth Barry says Everton boss David Moyes has got Jack Grealish back to his best

Grealish, who came through Aston Villa’s ranks, was a star for the Villans upon their return to the Premier League in 2019-20. Eight goals and six assists, all whilst acting as captain of his boyhood club, saw them stay in the league on the final day of the campaign.

The following season saw him notch six goals and 12 assists in just 26 top-flight games, earning an England call-up in the process, and Grealish’s £100million move to Manchester City at the age of 25 was the most expensive in English football history at the time.

His influence at City was not felt as much as it was at Villa but the England star was still strong in the North West. 24 goal involvements in four Premier League seasons, inside just 62 starts, saw Grealish win three Premier League trophies in a row, as well as the FA Cup and Champions League in 2022-23 to record the treble.

However, his time at City saw Grealish somewhat limited by teams consistently playing a low block against Pep Guardiola’s football.

And Gareth Barry has stated that David Moyes not giving the Birmingham-born winger too many instructions, and simply encouraging him to be himself, has brought the best out of the England star – as well as regular football.

Speaking on Sky Sports’ YouTube channel, Barry said: “I think Jack needed regular football. He needed the love from his manager to go out there, and go ‘show me what you can do’.

“Not too many instructions. Just go and be Jack Grealish. And I feel he’ll get that at Everton with David Moyes.

“Having played with the Everton fans, they’ll back him.

“They’ll get right behind him. And if Jack does what he does, he will have a great season. He’s already started well. I’m sure he can improve on that as the season goes on.”

• READ MORE: Jack Grealish absolutely loves Everton talent he calls ‘the best’ and the feeling is mutual

Jack Grealish’s style means he will shine more at Aston Villa and Everton than he would at Manchester City

Obviously, Grealish will not regret his time at Manchester City. Seven major trophies, including the treble, are feats that not many English players can boast in the modern era.

However, Pep Guardiola’s system did prohibit him from using his natural flair, and ability to hit teams on the counter where he is afforded much more space to thrive.

At Everton, he looks back to his Villa best. Sure, he may not win trophies on Merseyside unless Everton are victorious in the FA Cup or mount an unlikely title push, but on an individual level he’s back to his best.

Winning the Premier League Player of the Month award for August, the Englishman is once again making a case for the World Cup, a huge achievement after missing out on the Euro 2024 reckoning under Gareth Southgate.

And, if England are playing on the counter with room to thrive in the final third, he could be the best option for the Three Lions on the left flank.