Infected by 'virus' due to Christmas party, Premier League star unable to play

Following the attention-grabbing Christmas party, the Premier League star was suddenly absent for health reasons that surprised many.

Jack Grealish was not listed to play when Everton traveled to Turf Moor to face Burnley, as the Merseyside club entered a tough end-of-year schedule. This decision came just hours after British media reported about the high-profile Christmas party that the English midfielder had recently attended.

The Sun quoted manager David Moyes saying, Grealish was not fit to play because of a virus infection and had been unwell throughout the holiday period. The Scottish coach confirmed: “He just caught a minor virus, wasn’t feeling well over Christmas, so he couldn’t play today.” Tyler Dibling was chosen to start in his place.

Although the explanation was quite clear, Grealish’s absence still attracted public attention, especially as Everton is considering a permanent transfer for him from Manchester City. This period is seen as crucial for the management to evaluate both his professional performance and public image, as the former Aston Villa captain.

Everton was already struggling with squad issues, with Idrissa Gana Gueye and Iliman Ndiaye absent due to the Africa Cup of Nations, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall injured. Grealish’s inability to play made Moyes’ personnel challenges even more complicated amid a congested schedule and increasing pressure to earn points.

Previously, Grealish was mentioned in the British press for attending a large party after the 20/12 loss to Arsenal. A source described it as “a seasonal celebration unlike any other,” with a bill reaching £3,500 and lasting until dawn. However, the source emphasized that Grealish behaved moderately and only drank with friends.

The source added: “Jack wasn’t interested in strip shows; he just wanted to have a few late-night drinks.” In fact, Grealish was described as “completely polite,” showing no inappropriate behavior and treating the venue as a place still open for meeting friends after midnight.

On the field, Grealish continues to strive to prove his worth, having scored two goals and provided four assists in 18 appearances for Everton this season. The 29-year-old midfielder hopes this form will help him return to the England squad, aiming to participate in the 2026 World Cup, despite the off-field controversies surrounding him.

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