England Call for Grealish? Toffees Borrowed Star Giving Tuchel a Selection Dilemma

Match official Michael Salisbury had only just blown the full-time whistle to seal the Toffees' dramatic late win over the Eagles when the club updated the profile on their social media.

Underneath the team's iconic badge appeared three words: Grealish for England.

It is almost a year since Jack Grealish last wore a England shirt in a 3-1 Nations League win over Finland in Helsinki under interim manager Lee Carsley.

It will be some time before the veteran player gets the chance to represent his national team again after being left out from Thomas Tuchel's most recent squad for a friendly against Wales next midweek, followed by a World Cup qualifier in Latvia on the 14th of October.

But one thing remains perfectly evident: the playmaker is doing all in his power to play his way into the manager's plans for the upcoming World Cup.

After providing several key passes in his first six Premier League appearances for Everton, Grealish scored the late winner to seal his side's comeback victory after Dean Henderson had saved the striker from point-blank range.

Recorded at the 92nd minute, it was the club's most recent home league winning goal since spring 2022 against the Magpies - deep into added time.

"Do you know what's mad?" said Grealish, speaking to broadcasters after the game.

"Our recent matches we've played here we've been drawing and I've said to myself in the closing stages, 'come on Jack, go and score. Imagine if you scored now'.

"I thought it against Aston Villa, and I didn't score. I said it against West Ham and I didn't score.

"Today, I actually said the same thing again and I put it in. I sprinted towards where my mum and dad were, so it was special."

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'Not playing for England isn't deep'

The weekend's game was the midfielder's last for a few weeks - having only recently to string together six straight Premier League starts for the first time in almost 30 months.

He is ineligible to face his parent club City when his loan side return to action after the international break on 18 October.

It's over eight months before the kickoff of the World Cup. Is Grealish likely to be on board the national team flight?

"Honestly," he shared with BBC Radio 5 Live after the Palace game, "it's not as serious as people make out."

"At the end of the day, you aspire to play for the England side but people are performing strongly in my position. I'm also performing also, but the players picked previously did exceptionally in the recent matches so I accept that with me.

"That's the manager's decision and I completely understand that."

He continued: "I'm focused on playing for Everton because that's who put their trust in me and believed in me, so I'm really enjoying it here."

But, former England striker Wayne Rooney told the media that the player's performances for Everton will be giving the England boss a "headache".

"The only thing for him is keep doing what he is doing, obviously getting a winner today," commented Rooney, who scored over fifty strikes in more than a hundred games for England.

"I believe if he maintains that he will be there or thereabouts come the tournament.

"Should he feature, his ability will shine through, so I'm sure he'll be giving the England manager a headache."

'In the right place'

The England manager maintains the door remains open for Grealish, who has numerous international appearances and four goals for his nation, in terms of the World Cup next summer.

"There is always a route back into the squad," the national team coach said on Friday.

"He is aware that I recognize how influential he is for Everton and that he is on his path to be the top form of himself."

During his seven league games since arriving on a temporary deal from City, he has played significant game time, had multiple contributions, set up numerous opportunities and had several attempts.

"Jack's done great again," remarked manager the coach after his side's first win since 30 August.

"I have been urging him to get goals. He is always in the right place.

"The winger's cross was incredible and the forward should have scored. But Grealish is positioned well to score the goal."

The manager disclosed the player had skipped training during the week because of a minor injury, adding: "He has had to miss the odd day of training but he is doing a many good things."

Grealish was not the sole individual excluded from Tuchel's England squad who managed to score this weekend.

Marcus Rashford netted again for Barcelona - although they were beaten 4-1 at their opponents - while Mason Mount scored in Manchester United 2-0 win over Sunderland on Saturday.