Everton Face Leeds United As Grealish Injury Casts Shadow

Everton fans braced themselves for a pivotal Premier League clash as the Toffees hosted Leeds United at Hill Dickinson Stadium on January 26, 2026. But the build-up was dominated by one name: Jack Grealish. The 30-year-old winger, on loan from Manchester City, has been a creative engine for Everton this season, but a devastating foot injury has left both his future and the club’s ambitions hanging in the balance.

The drama began earlier in the week when Grealish reported to Finch Farm, Everton’s training ground, with what was initially thought to be a calf problem. Further examinations, however, revealed a far more serious issue—a stress fracture in his foot. Everton’s medical team, in consultation with specialists, are still evaluating whether surgery will be required, but the prospect looms large that Grealish could miss the rest of the campaign. Manager David Moyes, not one to mince words, confirmed the gravity of the situation, stating, “It’s a huge blow, he’s played an important part for us since the start of the season. We’ve had a few injuries, but this is a big blow to us.”

The timing couldn’t be worse. Grealish has been a revelation since joining Everton last summer, notching two goals and six assists in 22 appearances across all competitions. He tops the club’s assist charts and has created 38 big chances—ninth-most in the Premier League. His ability to draw fouls and relieve pressure has been a lifeline for Moyes’ side, who are desperate to secure their first top-half finish since the 2018/19 season. “It is a blow to lose him… it’s a real pity for the boy. He’s been back at it, enjoying it and doing what he is good at. He has been supported brilliantly by the supporters at Everton. They think so much of him and it’s just disappointing he’s going to have some time off. He’s given us something different. We have to praise him for that,” Moyes told Echo reporters.

Everton’s loan agreement with Manchester City reportedly includes a £50 million option to buy, but Grealish’s injury and the club’s outlay—north of £200,000 per week in wages—have complicated matters. Sources close to the club suggest Everton would only consider a permanent move if City significantly lower their valuation, possibly to half the original figure. For now, the Toffees remain in close contact with City, awaiting further medical updates and keeping their options open as the winter transfer window ticks down.

The absence of Grealish forced Moyes to reshuffle his starting XI against Leeds. Idrissa Gueye and Iliman Ndiaye returned from their Africa Cup of Nations triumph with Senegal, slotting straight into the midfield. Merlin Röhl dropped to the bench, while Seamus Coleman, Jarrad Branthwaite, Charly Alcaraz, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall were all back in training, edging closer to first-team returns. Michael Keane, meanwhile, served the last match of his suspension following a red card against Wolves.

The confirmed Everton lineup for the Leeds clash featured Jordan Pickford in goal, with Nathan Patterson, James Tarkowski, Jake O’Brien, and Vitaliy Mykolenko in defense. The midfield was anchored by James Garner and Idrissa Gueye, flanked by Harrison Armstrong and Dwight McNeil, while Iliman Ndiaye and Thierno Barry provided attacking thrust. “I think having winners in and around your club, people who are involved in teams who get to finals, I hope that it helps. I want players who want to be in finals and to do well. Hopefully, they both come back, playing well and fit and healthy to go,” Moyes remarked on the returning AFCON heroes.

Leeds United, for their part, arrived in Merseyside with confidence, having lost just once in their previous nine top-flight matches and fresh off a 1-0 victory over Fulham. The Whites, managed by Daniel Farke, made two changes to their lineup: Anton Stach and Sebastiaan Bornauw replaced Noah Okafor and the injured Gabriel Gudmundsson. Ex-Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin led the line for Leeds, eager to make an impression against his former club.

Leeds’ starting XI read: Darlow; Bogle, Ampadu, Struijk, Rodon, Bornauw; Justin, Gruev, Stach; Aaronson; Calvert-Lewin. The visitors were chasing a rare league double over Everton, something they hadn’t accomplished since the 1990/91 season. Yet history wasn’t on their side—Everton had lost just once in their last 16 home league meetings with Leeds.

Everton entered the match seeking back-to-back league victories for the first time since early December, hoping to leap to seventh in the standings. Their away form has been stellar—ten wins since January 25, 2025, joint-best in the league with Arsenal—but home results have been mixed, with as many defeats as wins. The return of key players and the resilience shown in their recent 1-0 win at Aston Villa, where Thierno Barry netted the decisive goal, offered hope that the Toffees could overcome adversity.

But the shadow of Grealish’s injury loomed large. The uncertainty over his recovery timeline, the possibility of surgery, and the impact on both Everton’s European ambitions and Grealish’s World Cup dreams have left supporters anxious. His loan deal expires at season’s end, and with no talks yet over a permanent transfer, the winger’s future remains up in the air. Moyes, ever pragmatic, summed up the club’s stance: “We’re not thinking about [his future] at the moment. We are only thinking about Jack – we are upset for him and disappointed he has got an injury. We are in close contact with Manchester City so we will see how that works as we go along and get more decisions from the specialist.”

As the match kicked off, the focus shifted—at least temporarily—from medical bulletins and transfer rumors to the action on the pitch. Everton supporters, who have embraced Grealish’s flair and work ethic, could only hope that the team would rally in his absence. With the transfer window still open and the season’s ambitions hanging in the balance, the coming weeks promise further intrigue both on and off the field.

For now, Everton’s campaign continues under a cloud of uncertainty, but also with the determination that has defined Moyes’ tenure. Whether Grealish will wear the blue shirt again this season remains unclear, but his impact—both on the pitch and in the hearts of Evertonians—is already undeniable. The Toffees, battered but unbowed, march on.