The timing tells you everything you need to know about Everton's situation right now.
Within hours of David Moyes confirming that Jack Grealish will likely need surgery on his fractured foot—ruling him out for the rest of the season—Everton had already fired off an official loan proposal to Chelsea for teenage winger Tyrique George. No hanging about. No dithering. Just cold, calculated urgency.
🚨🔵 EXCL: Everton send official loan with option to buy proposal to Chelsea for Tyrique George.#EFC currently leading the race for George as talks are underway with many clubs keen on Chelsea player. pic.twitter.com/CNlOqKLBrA
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 31, 2026
Fabrizio Romano broke the news on Friday morning: Everton are now leading the race for the 19-year-old Cobham graduate, with talks underway and multiple clubs circling. The deal would be a six-month loan with an option to buy—a structure that fits perfectly with the Toffees' financial reality.
Why George, and why now?
Grealish's injury has left a gaping hole in Everton's attack. The Manchester City loanee had been one of the few genuine bright spots this season: two goals, six assists across 22 appearances, and that creativity between the lines that Moyes's system desperately needs. Losing him now, with Europe still a possibility, is a disaster.
"It's a big blow because he's been hugely important to us since the start of the season," Moyes admitted in Friday's press conference. "We believe he's probably going to need surgery, but that's still not absolutely confirmed. It probably rules him out for the rest of the season, yes."
George offers something different—younger, rawer, but with genuine potential. He came through Chelsea's academy, scored in the Premier League, Conference League, and Champions League last season, and won the Conference League trophy under Enzo Maresca. That's not nothing for a teenager.
The Cobham kid Chelsea can't find room for
Here's the strange bit about this deal: George probably should have left Stamford Bridge six months ago. A £22 million move to Fulham collapsed on deadline day last summer, and since then he's been a ghost in Liam Rosenior's plans. Four Premier League appearances this season. Zero starts. Three goals in 11 total outings, which sounds decent until you realize most of those minutes came in dead rubbers.
Rosenior was blunt about it before the window opened: "Tyrique, unfortunately for him, hasn't had many minutes—so there's a different individual situation for him."
Translation: he's free to leave, and Chelsea aren't standing in anyone's way.
Italian journalist Alfredo Pedullà reported that George was offered to both Napoli and Roma after Chelsea's 3-2 Champions League win over the Partenopei on Wednesday. That tells you the Blues are actively shopping him around Europe. The Athletic confirmed Everton's interest the following day, noting "significant competition" from clubs in England and across the continent.
Can George actually replace Grealish?
Honestly? No. Not right away. Grealish is 30, an England international, and has played at the highest level for years. George is 19 and still figuring things out. But that's not really the question Everton need to answer.
The question is whether George can provide enough spark to keep their European push alive. Moyes doesn't need a saviour—he needs rotation, energy, and someone willing to run at defenders. George, who tends to drift inside from the left and look for pockets of space, could offer that. His first Premier League goal came against Fulham last April, cutting in and finishing clinically. There's ability there.
The loan-with-option structure is clever too. If George adapts, Everton get a long-term asset. If he doesn't, no harm done beyond the wages.
The bigger picture
Everton sit in the top half after 23 matches, within touching distance of Conference League places. That's remarkable given where they were when Moyes took over for his second spell in January 2025—16th, one point above relegation, absolutely desperate.
Grealish's injury threatens all of that momentum. The Toffees have struggled for goals all season, relying heavily on Thierno Barry (who needed 17 appearances to open his account) and whatever scraps of creativity Grealish could manufacture.
George won't fix everything. But on deadline day, with options thin and time running out, he might be exactly what Everton need—a gamble, yes, but a calculated one.
The window closes Monday. Expect this to move fast.
