As “The New Messi” seems to be more of a burden than a benefit, Gerard Deulofeu—whose sparkling toes once mesmerized Evertonians—proved that.
The Spanish forward is 30 today, but despite reaching a milestone that causes football players to informally enter the “veteran” category of their careers, he hasn’t had much to celebrate lately and is struggling to keep playing.Deulofeu’s 13-minute cameo for Udinese in their 1-0 Serie A victory at Sampdoria on January 22, 2023, is the last time he has booted a ball in a competitive game in nearly 14 months.
Deulofeu was forced to be substituted for Ilija Nestorovski as the game entered stoppage time, despite the fact that he had only entered the game as a substitute himself, coming on as a substitute on 77 minutes in a move that was anything but a like-for-like swap. After that, he had surgery on a knee injury that he said was “waging war on me.” Although he was apparently on the verge of returning to the Premier League at the time, having a deal to Antonio Conte’s Tottenham Hotspur planned, he has since been sidelined.
Last month, Deulofeu stated via Calculiomercato.com’s Jijantes Twitch channel: “I’ve known for a few months that I might not play again.
“I subsequently sustained a third injury, and this time there were issues. Because of a contract I have with my club, I’m only allowed to say that it’s a true ordeal and that you have no idea what I’m going through.
Still, I’m making every effort to get better. However, I’m also getting ready for a potential job after playing.
Blues supporters would be shocked if Deulofeu’s professional career ended abruptly. They will recall him as the youthful, charismatic player who came straight out of La Masia, the famed Barcelona junior academy and brought some Latin flare to Goodison Park when the clouds were overcast. He was brought to Merseyside when he was still a teenager by fellow Catalan Roberto Martinez.
Deulofeu said that the intense pressure he faced at home made him feel as though being out of the La Liga spotlight was a relief.”I discovered that being called the new Messi when I was young wasn’t the best thing,” he is quoted by Allfootball as saying.
“Trying to live up to unreasonable expectations makes life difficult. It was quite difficult to try to improve as a player.
“I did pick up a lot of knowledge, particularly when I was instructed to train with the Barca first team at the age of 16. It was evident that although I couldn’t withstand the pressure, they could.
Deulofeu played 75 games for Everton and scored eight goals. His most memorable moment came in a thrilling late equalizer against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium when he deflected a left wing cross from Steven Pienaar with a cushioned touch, then cut inside and fired the ball past Wojciech Szczesny. Despite this, Deulofeu was also a great creator of chances for others, as evidenced by his connection to prolific striker Luukaku, who was nicknamed the “Rom and Geri” duo.
“We’ve lost so many playmakers over the last few years, we don’t have the ability to hand you the ball on a plate, as a finisher, you’ve got to do a bit more,” Michael Ball said in his ECHO column this week, highlighting how Everton’s players are now having to work harder to put the ball in the net at a time when creative talents are scarce in Sean Dyche’s side. Hopefully, football hasn’t seen the last of Deulofeu yet.
After all, he remarks, “It is in my heart,” while thinking back on his time at Goodison Park. I get along well with Everton supporters and have a strong connection with them. Both I and they are in love.
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