Why Trent Alexander-Arnold has given Everton's Jack Grealish perfect new England hope

Everton star Jack Grealish has never been handed an England chance under Thomas Tuchel.

The Blues have seen Jordan Pickford, Jarrad Branthwaite and James Garner called up in the ex-Chelsea manager's tenure in charge.

However, the Manchester City loanee has not added to his 39 caps for his country under the German.

He may now have hope, though, after the return of Real Madrid's Trent Alexander-Arnold.

The 27-year-old right-back made his first start in 717 days for the Three Lions in the 2-0 win over Czechia on Tuesday.

That may show that the door is open for Grealish to earn an international recall and give him new hope.

Why Grealish can still hold hope of England return

Grealish's last England appearance came in the 3-1 win over Finland in the Nations League in October 2024.

That was also previously the last game that Alexander-Arnold started for England, as a left-back when Lee Carsley was in interim charge.

If the former Liverpool man can make it back to a starting berth for his country after such a long absence from the XI, why can't the Hill Dickinson Stadium star do the same?

If the 31-year-old can get back to the levels that he showed last season, before the foot injury ended his campaign, there is every chance that he can impress Tuchel and have a similar comeback.

What has Tuchel said about Everton star Grealish?

David Moyes described Grealish as "brilliant" in August, and Tuchel also clearly rates him despite not calling him up.

Speaking in August 2025, the Three Lions boss said: "There is no doubt I am a big fan of Trent and Jack Grealish.

"Big players and big personalities, always in the mix. I know both are desperate but in this camp we decided for Reece [James] and Livramento, and in Jack's [Grealish], Rashy and Ebs. The competition is up."

It is simply a matter of competition, and if Grealish puts up better numbers than his rivals for a place in the squad, he could make it back into the fold.

He notched two goals and six assists in the top-flight last season, and we will never know how many he may have reached had his campaign ran the full course instead of being ended in January.

Grealish has not managed a single contributions so far this season in six matches, so he needs to get the work once the international break is over, and show Tuchel that he still has something to offer.

The door is clearly not fully closed, though.