Credit: Imago

Chris Smith

Tue 19 August 2025 13:49, UK

Everton have been urged to convert Jack Grealish into a central midfielder following their dreadful performance against Leeds United on Monday.

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The Toffees went down 1-0 at Elland Road in their first Premier League match of the season, sparking an angry reaction from many supporters.

David Moyes’ side were completely toothless in attack, managing just one shot on target all match, as well as only 14 touches in the opposition box.

Everton have already made a number of signings this summer – including Grealish, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Thierno Barry – but their former midfielder Don Hutchison has called on them to make an even more radical change.

Grealish made his Everton debut from the bench in the 71st minute on Monday but was unable to help his side turn things around.

A winger by trade, some have touted Grealish to make a difference for Everton in the No.10 position — especially if further signings can be made out wide, such as Tyler Dibling or Takefusa Kubo.

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But Hutchison — who played 86 times for Everton between 1997 and 2000 — believes Moyes should go one step further by converting Grealish into a box-to-box midfielder — a role he’s filled just 17 times in his career to date (Transfermarkt).

ClubAppearancesGoalsAssistsAston Villa2133243Man City1571723Notts County3957Everton100England3948Jack Grealish’s career stats to date

“I’d either buy an experienced central midfielder that can demand and be comfortable on the ball, or convert Jack Grealish into a No.8,” Hutchison wrote on X, also urging Everton to dip back into the striker market by adding: “Also buy Artem Dovbyk from Roma.”

Grealish will be better served helping Everton’s attack (Credit: Manh Tung, Breaking Media)

Football Insider verdict

There’s no doubt that Grealish has the tools to be a quality central midfielder, with his ball retention and passing skills.

However, the 39-time England international is easily at his best when allowed to play a maverick role in forward areas.

Grealish’s trickery and attacking sixth sense make him excellent at unlocking defences, and those are qualities Everton are desperately lacking right now.

Once Vitalii Mykolenko is back fit, Everton will be able to push James Garner back into the midfield alongside Idrissa Gueye and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, which should go a long way toward helping with their ball progression issues.

And once Grealish is fully up and running, expect him to come in and start pulling the strings for Moyes where he belongs: in the final third.

Monday was a disappointing evening for Evertonians, but absolutely not evidence enough that such radical changes need to be made – especially with two weeks still remaining to sign more players.

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