Report: Chelsea Striker May Regret Snubbing Everton Following Jack Grealish’s Shock Move to Merseyside
The football world was caught off guard when Jack Grealish swapped the Etihad for Merseyside, joining Everton on loan from Manchester City. For a club still adjusting to life under the ownership of The Friedkin Group, the 29-year-old England international represents exactly the kind of marquee signing that fans have been craving — a statement of intent to match the ambitions of manager David Moyes.
While Grealish has endured a mixed spell at City and will need to rediscover his best form, his arrival carries more than just tactical significance. The move signals Everton’s determination to push beyond mere survival and compete for higher places. Grealish himself has spoken about wanting to emulate the flair and influence of Paul Gascoigne during his time at Goodison Park — an ambition sure to excite supporters.
The One That Got Away
However, while Everton fans celebrate Grealish’s arrival, one player watching from afar may be feeling pangs of regret — Liam Delap. The 22-year-old striker was a top summer target for Moyes, who saw him as the potential spearhead of the club’s new project. Everton were ready to make Delap the focal point of their attack, building the team around him with creative service from new signings like Grealish and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.
Instead, Delap chose a different path, completing a £30 million transfer to Chelsea. The move was likely motivated by the lure of competing for trophies and playing Champions League football rather than embracing the underdog challenge Everton offered. But with Grealish now in blue and Dewsbury-Hall providing further supply from midfield, Delap may be realising that he passed up the chance to thrive as the main man on Merseyside — and in a team tailor-made to suit his game.
What Might Have Been
Had Delap accepted Everton’s offer, he would have walked straight into the coveted number nine role, enjoying regular minutes and the chance to develop under a manager who trusted him implicitly. Instead, Chelsea’s depth in attack means he now faces stiff competition for game time. Joao Pedro is currently ahead of him in the pecking order, and opportunities could be limited for the former Manchester City academy graduate.
In contrast, Everton’s striking department has been reshaped, with Thierno Barry now tasked with leading the line. If Barry hits the ground running and forges an immediate understanding with Grealish and Dewsbury-Hall, Everton’s attack could be one of the most improved units in the Premier League. Delap, meanwhile, may find himself on the periphery at Stamford Bridge, his development stalled by a lack of minutes.
A Potentially Costly Decision
Transfers are often about timing and opportunity, and Delap’s decision to snub Everton may come to be seen as a miscalculation. The Toffees, fresh from securing one of England’s most creative wingers, now have the pieces to supply a prolific striker with a steady stream of chances. In that scenario, Delap could have been the star attraction, leading the line in front of an adoring Goodison Park crowd.
Instead, he risks becoming another promising young striker swallowed by the depth and rotation of a top-six club’s squad. Should Everton’s attack flourish without him — and especially if Barry shines — Delap’s rejection of the Toffees might become one of the more curious “what if” stories of this transfer window.
For Moyes and Everton, though, the focus is firmly forward. Grealish’s arrival has already lifted expectations, and with the right blend of attacking options, the Toffees could surprise a few people this season. For Delap, however, the question may linger: Did I choose the wrong project