Grealish Out, George In: Moyes’ Suicide Or Gem? Can A Teen Save Everton’s Season From Disaster Now? | OneFootball

Everton’s 2025/26 campaign took a nasty hit this week. The club confirmed Jack Grealish broke a bone in his foot. This injury keeps the 30-year-old playmaker off the pitch for the rest of the season. The Manchester City loanee had been a massive part of David Moyes’ plans. Now, his absence has sparked a mad dash on deadline day.

Now, the Toffees confirmed that they have signed the 19-year-old winger Tyrique George. He joined on loan from Chelsea until June. The deal includes an option to make the move permanent. The England Under-21 international arrived at the Hill Dickinson Stadium tasked with filling the massive gap that one of the Premier League’s most expensive stars left behind.

Smart Move or Giving Up for Everton?

Trading a veteran winner for a teenager is a huge gamble. It feels risky because the kid has barely played any senior football. Fans expect a lot during the club’s first season at their new home by the water. Putting all that pressure on Tyrique George is a move that has everyone arguing.

On one hand, this looks like Moyes is digging into his old playbook. He seems to be trying to find that 2002 magic again. That was when he let a 16-year-old Wayne Rooney loose on the Premier League. George has that same raw, explosive streak. He plays direct, shows off his skills, and has that young confidence that Everton need to fix a boring attack.

LINCOLN, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 23: Tyrique George of Chelsea during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Lincoln City and Chelsea at LNER Stadium on September 23, 2025 in Lincoln, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

If Moyes can coach George the way he did Rooney, he might have bagged a steal from the Chelsea reserves. The teenager loves to run at defenders. This gives the team a vertical threat that Grealish sometimes lacked, even with his great ball control.

However, it’s hard not to be sceptical. Swapping a proven England star for an untested 19-year-old looks a bit weak. It feels like the club are settling for the middle of the pack instead of chasing a spot in Europe. The club built the Hill Dickinson Stadium for Champions League nights. They didn’t build it to test out kids just because the budget was too tight for a proven player.

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – JANUARY 18: Jack Grealish of Everton acknowledges the fans as he celebrates victory after Everton defeat Aston Villa during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Everton at Villa Park on January 18, 2026 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

Is it fair to ask George to save a season that’s sliding away? Probably not, but football is rarely fair. Moyes has gone all-in on one high-stakes hand. If George ignites the crowd, Moyes looks like a genius. If the kid cracks under the pressure, fans will start shouting about the board’s lack of ambition. This isn’t just about covering an injury anymore. It’s a real test of where Everton actually sit in the footballing hierarchy.