Mansion Sports – The newly inaugurated Hill Dickinson Stadium witnessed Everton’s first Premier League victory of the season last weekend. David Moyes’ side secured a 2-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion, with new signing Jack Grealish delivering a standout performance.

A Stunning Home Debut

Grealish became the star of the match in his first home appearance for Everton, providing assists for both goals before being substituted to a rousing ovation from the home supporters.

After the game, the midfielder spoke to the media about his move to Everton and reflected on the difficult final days of his time at Manchester City.

Motivation Behind Joining Everton

Grealish revealed that his decision to join Everton was driven by a desire to rediscover the joy of playing football.

“I wanted to come here, and the most important thing for me was to enjoy football again, to enjoy playing every single day. Maybe in the last few years I did not lose my love for football, but I was not enjoying it the way I should,” he explained.

He added that his debut gave him back the feeling he had been missing—a renewed hunger and excitement for matchdays.

Transfer Details and His Manchester City Chapter

Grealish arrived at Everton on loan, with an option to buy set at £50 million ($67.6 million) next summer.

The England international had struggled to secure a regular starting role at Manchester City, making 32 appearances across all competitions last season but starting only seven Premier League matches.

When City traveled to the United States for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, Grealish was left out of the squad, signaling that his time with the club had effectively come to an end.

No Regrets and a Fresh Start

Despite his departure, Grealish insisted he holds no regrets about his time at City.

“I really loved my time at Manchester City. Four incredible years, and I won many trophies. But this summer I felt it was the right time for a change. Once I spoke to the manager, David Moyes, over FaceTime, I knew this was the place I wanted to come to. There were many reasons behind my decision, and today showed exactly why,” he said.

A Path Back to the England Squad

If Grealish can rediscover the form he displayed at Aston Villa—which convinced City to pay £100 million ($134.4 million) for him in 2021—his chances of returning to the England squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be significantly enhanced.

His impressive debut performance marks a promising beginning to this new chapter in his career with Everton.