Richard Keys makes his feelings clear on Jack Grealish move to Everton with comparison to former player

Richard Keys has given his verdict on Jack Grealish's proposed move to Everton and believes the attacker could fill a role he feels the club has not had since the 1970s.

Grealish is poised to head to the Toffees on loan for the campaign from Manchester City after his form and game time for Pep Guardiola's side tailed off, something which has been noticeable since City's treble triumph in 2023.

Reports suggest that Everton and City have agreed a deal which will see Grealish spend the campaign with David Moyes's side.

Grealish joined City in 2021 from Aston Villa for £100m and has gone on to score 17 goals in 157 appearances for the Etihad Stadium club.

Since signing for City, Grealish has won three Premier League titles, the FA Cup, the Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup.

But the England international is widely expected to call the new Hill Dickinson Stadium home for the fresh campaign, which begins over this weekend and sees Everton travel to Elland Road to take on Leeds United.

Grealish missed out on Gareth Southgate's England squad for Euro 2024 last year and will be hoping the move to Everton can restart his Three Lions career ahead of the World Cup next summer in the USA, Canada and Mexico.

When the signing is confirmed, Grealish will become Everton's sixth signing of the summer after Carlos Alcaraz, Thierno Barry, Mark Travers, Adam Aznou and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.

Richard Keys has given his verdict on Jack Grealish's move to Everton from Manchester City. (Image: Getty)

Broadcaster Keys has had his verdict on Grealish's impending move from Manchester to Merseyside and hailed the piece of business from Everton's perspective if they land a player who manages to recapture his previous form.

He believes the attacker could become a 'hero in no time' for the Toffees and went as far as saying that Grealish could emulate a player Everton have not had in a particular position since the 1970s.

Taking to X, Keys said: "If the real Jack Grealish turns up at Goodison it’s a great piece of business for Everton.

"They haven’t had a proper 10 since Duncan McKenzie. Jack could make himself a hero in no time."

McKenzie played for Everton between 1976 and 1978 and score 21 goals in 62 games across all competitions for the Toffees.

The now 75-year-old also played for Nottingham Forest, Leeds, Chelsea and Blackburn Rovers throughout his playing career.

The loan deal for Grealish is worth £15m and it is not clear how much of the attacker's £300,000 a week wages City will be subsidising during his year away from the Etihad Stadium.