Jack Grealish’s festive season has been nothing short of eventful—on and off the pitch. The England international, currently on loan at Everton from Manchester City, found himself at the center of headlines this week for reasons both celebratory and concerning, with his absence from Everton’s latest Premier League clash against Burnley sparking widespread speculation.
The saga began in the early hours of December 22, 2025, when Grealish treated his friends to a lavish Christmas night out in London. The evening started with a visit to Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland, where Grealish met up with former Manchester City teammate Kyle Walker, two women, and another friend. From there, the group made their way to a high-end restaurant in Mayfair, reportedly spreading seasonal cheer by handing out drinks to fellow diners. “These boys know how to party. They showed goodwill to all in sight. They are very generous lads,” an attendee told The Sun, painting a picture of camaraderie and holiday spirit.
But the real talk of the town came later, as the group continued their celebrations at the Platinum Lace strip club in Leicester Square. There, they racked up a hefty bill, downing £14 shots as dancers entertained guests well into the early hours. Despite the raucous setting, sources described Grealish as “the perfect gentleman” who “didn’t so much as look at any of the lap-dancers.” Another insider emphasized, “He is in a loving relationship and this was just a venue that was open for some late night drinks.”
The night concluded at the Sanderson Hotel in Fitzrovia, where Grealish and his friends capped off their evening with champagne, before parting ways. Importantly, both Grealish and Walker, who have time off from their respective clubs, did not breach any team rules during their night out. The festivities followed a tough 1-0 loss to Arsenal on December 20, where Grealish played for Everton, underscoring his commitment on the pitch even as he enjoyed downtime off it.
Meanwhile, Grealish’s personal life has also been in the spotlight. On Christmas Day, his longtime partner Sasha Attwood shared a series of heartwarming photos on Instagram, capturing their 15-month-old daughter Mila Rose’s first visit to LaplandUK. The family, who have been together since high school, looked every bit the picture of festive joy. Sasha, 29, looked stunning in a grey woolen coat and matching jumper, while Grealish kept things casual in light grey joggers and a brown padded coat. Mila, wrapped up in a cherry-print fleece and pink hat, was the star of the show. “It really is the most wonderful time ✨❤️,” Sasha captioned one of the images, giving fans a rare glimpse into their family life.
But as the holiday glow lingered, Everton fans were left puzzled and concerned when Grealish was nowhere to be seen in the squad for the December 27 clash against Burnley at Turf Moor. Rumors swirled across social media and tabloids, some suggesting the absence was linked to his extravagant party. However, Everton manager David Moyes was quick to set the record straight, dismissing any connection between Grealish’s night out and his omission from the matchday squad.
“He’s just got a bit of a virus and not been well over Christmas time, so he’s not available today,” Moyes clarified ahead of the 3pm kick-off. The manager’s candor was echoed across multiple outlets, with the club’s official website and local media reiterating that illness—not disciplinary action—was behind Grealish’s absence. Moyes’s remarks put to bed any rumors of misconduct, emphasizing that Grealish had not breached club rules and was simply under the weather.
Grealish’s absence was a significant blow for Everton, who were already grappling with a depleted squad. The Toffees were missing key players such as Jarrad Branthwaite, Seamus Coleman, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall due to hamstring injuries, while Idrissa Gueye and Iliman Ndiaye were away on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations. With Grealish sidelined, Moyes handed a rare Premier League start to Tyler Dibling, the club’s £35 million summer signing from Southampton. Beto also returned to the starting lineup, replacing Thierno Barry.
Despite a challenging run of back-to-back defeats to Chelsea and Arsenal, Everton entered the Burnley match still in the top half of the table and eager to bounce back. Grealish, who has contributed two goals and four assists in 18 appearances this season, has been a standout performer, even if his efforts have yet to earn him a recall to the England squad under Thomas Tuchel. “He is not too old but he is getting to the wrong age. He has to keep showing what he is capable of doing. He has done fine and covered most of the 90-minute games. He is doing well,” Moyes commented earlier this month, drawing a comparison to Jesse Lingard’s career resurgence.
Everton’s deal to sign Grealish on loan from Manchester City includes a £50 million option to buy, but Moyes admitted that the club would need to renegotiate that figure if they hoped to make the move permanent. “I am sure we would have to alter that. I don’t think we would be in that ball game and let’s be fair adding everything into it, his age, it would be very difficult to pay that sort of money,” Moyes explained, highlighting the financial realities facing the club.
As the Blues look ahead to their next fixture against Nottingham Forest, all eyes will be on Grealish’s recovery. With just one year left on his Manchester City contract after the loan period ends, the coming months could prove pivotal for both his club future and his hopes of an England recall ahead of the 2026 World Cup. For now, Everton fans and neutrals alike will be hoping to see Grealish back in action soon, bringing his trademark flair and energy to the pitch—just as he brought festive cheer off it.
With the Burnley match still ongoing, Everton supporters are left to wonder if the team can rally in Grealish’s absence and return to winning ways. One thing’s certain: whether celebrating with friends or fighting for points, Jack Grealish remains one of English football’s most compelling figures.
