Jack Grealish reportedly disappeared following the weekend defeat sustained at Arsenal. The 31-year-old playmaker missed that 2-0 reverse due to sickness before facing punishment for an unauthorised absence from Everton training sessions.
Everton dropped the midfielder from the matchday group selected by David Moyes for Thursday's 3-1 Carabao Cup victory against Newcastle. Specific details regarding this rule breach will stay confidential until the club concludes its internal disciplinary proceedings.
Moyes likely feels let down by the player he brought in during August for a second straight loan from Manchester City, even though club directors held doubts concerning his professionalism. The Times noted a feeling of unease about welcoming Grealish back to Merseyside after he netted twice across 22 matches in a 2025/26 campaign interrupted by a broken foot.
Moyes acknowledged that omitting Grealish on Thursday was a club choice, though he backed the decision. Manchester City paid £100million for Grealish in 2021, yet he frequently attracts criticism for his social lifestyle. During a Sky Sports interview last year, he conceded that he does not always help himself in that regard, stating, "I do [like to go out]. I want to be able to live my life and enjoy myself but obviously there's a time and a place. Sometimes, I'll be honest with you, I probably haven't picked the right times."
Despite such concerns, supporters frequently adore Grealish for his down-to-earth personality and charitable work away from football. Following his unauthorised absence, news broke on Thursday that the ex-Aston Villa player gave £10,000 to an Everton supporter fighting kidney cancer. Earlier in the month, he joined sister Holly at the Pride of Britain awards to surprise Child of Courage winner Zac Howells.
Questions remain over whether Grealish returns to the squad when Everton visit St James' Park on Monday night. The Toffees sit 11th in the Premier League table after gathering 10 points from their first eight fixtures.
