Jack Grealish needs to be more daring.

Despite shining in an Everton shirt and leading the Premier League in chances created, Jack Grealish was still left out of the England squad by Thomas Tuchel.

Jack Grealish was not called up to the England squad this time.

Amidst the brilliance of his exquisite passes, his problem lies in what seems like the simplest thing – daring to shoot, daring to take risks.

Statistics don't lie.

There are players who are remembered for their graceful dribbling, and Grealish is one of them. But in modern football, grace is no longer enough without effectiveness. The numbers at Everton are painting a paradox: Grealish is the Premier League's most prolific creator of chances (17), more than Bruno Fernandes (16), but at the same time has only taken two shots from open play in six games - both blocked.

According to Opta data, the 30-year-old only takes 0.39 shots from open play per 90 minutes, a sharp drop from 1.51 shots/90 minutes last season at Manchester City – already the lowest figure in his four years with Pep Guardiola's team. Compared to his direct competitors in the England squad, Grealish lags far behind: Jarrod Bowen averages 2.3 shots per game, while Eberechi Eze averages 2.1.

In other words, Grealish creates twice as many opportunities for others as he allows himself to try.

Since moving to Everton, Grealish has changed. David Moyes freed him from the strict tactical mold at Manchester City, encouraging him to hold the ball, dribble, and create chances. But this very "conformity" has become a barrier.

Moyes didn't hide his admiration, but was also frank: "He's too conventional, too safe. I want Jack to be more daring, to get into the box more often, to shoot more. He has a powerful shot, good curling skills - there's no reason not to try."

Jack Grealish is experiencing a resurgence at Everton.

In fact, Grealish has provided 4 assists, contributing to almost half of Everton's goals this season. But when you look at the statistics of top wide forwards – Bowen (5 goals), Eze (3 goals, 2 assists), or even Anthony Gordon (3 goals) – the question arises: is Grealish limiting himself to a supporting role?

This hesitation is nothing new. Under Guardiola, he used to be the "last man to pass" – rarely shooting, always aiming for safe passes. Now, with Tuchel wanting attacking players who can decide the game themselves, Grealish's lack of goal-scoring instinct makes him vulnerable to being left behind.

The pressure of attention and the ghost of oneself.

David Moyes once admitted that the media also contributed to Grealish's difficulties. "From the very first games, there was more attention, opponents immediately started marking two players. They knew Jack was back, and they did everything they could to stop him."

Grealish, after years of being worn down by Man City's harsh tactical system, now breathes more freely at Everton. He leads the league in key passes (17), ranks in the top 5 for passing accuracy in the final third (84%), and remains one of the most fouled players. But all of that doesn't change the fact that he still hasn't scored a goal after 540 minutes of playing time.

The problem isn't about technique – as Moyes said, "he has a rocket shot." The problem is about mentality. Grealish plays as if he's more afraid of messing up a build-up than of missing a scoring opportunity. He chooses safe passes over risky shots – a beautiful choice, but not up to the standards of modern football, where wingers like Salah, Saka, and Bowen are all prolific goalscorers.

The only thing Jack Grealish is missing is goals.

Tuchel wants players who can decide the game, not just playmakers. With an England squad overflowing with creative talent, Grealish needs to show that he can still make a difference with goals. His salvation now lies not in the number of passes, but in the number of goals on the scoresheet.

This weekend's match against Crystal Palace, with Everton missing Dewsbury-Hall (suspended) and both Beto and Barry in attack, is an opportunity for Grealish to "try his luck" – or rather, test himself.

At 30, he's no longer a "promising young player." He needs to prove that finesse can go hand in hand with decisiveness. Because if he can't score, those creative numbers – 17 chances, 84% passing accuracy, 4 assists – will just be a beautiful shadow of a player once considered a "specialty of English football."

Jack Grealish doesn't need to change his nature, he just needs to be more adventurous. Sometimes, to return to the top, a player has to dare to lose a bit of his "complacency." Because in today's football, people no longer count dribbles – they count goals. And only by daring to shoot can Grealish truly return to the England shirt.

Source: https://znews.vn/jack-grealish-can-tao-bao-hon-post1590609.html