Youth and experience is the key for Geri

, 5 December, 19comments  |  Jump to most recent
Gerard Deulofeu talks to Sky Sports

Deulofeu's magic has created 13 of Everton's goals since he returned — 8 of them for Romelu Lukaku

Gerard Deulofeu gives an enlightening interview to Sky Sports, showing how happy he is to be playing with Everton in the Premier League under his manager and fellow Catalan, Roberto Martinez.

Deulofeu told Sky Sports: "[Roberto Martinez] gave me more confidence in my life. With him I speak Catalan, because he is from Catalunya, it is easier for me because if I don't understand one question, he will tell me in Catalan, and for me it's more easy.

"This team is amazing. For young players, Rom [Romelu Lukaku], Ross [Barkley], John [Stones], me, James McCarthy, and the team have experienced players, Phil Jagielka, Gareth Barry, and it's a good combination. I think Everton this year need to stay in Europe.

"The [Capital One Cup] semi-finals against Man City will be difficult, against the most important club in the Premier [League], but I want to play the final at Wembley, it's an amazing stadium."

Watch the interview video at Sky Sports



Reader Comments (19)

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Paul Andrews
1 Posted 06/12/2015 at 08:35:28
A good article on Gerry at The Mail.

Well worth a read.

Tony Hill
3 Posted 06/12/2015 at 14:24:57
Sometimes, a place just fits a player and vice versa. That’s our main hope of keeping this fine prospect – he is an Evertonian and seems very happy to be one.
Brian Harrison
4 Posted 06/12/2015 at 15:00:30
I watched the interview and as well as being an extremely talented footballer, he comes across as a nice lad with a good attitude. All the pundits on the panel rate him highly, saying that he could go on to become a top top player. He certainly has all the talent, and I was pleased to hear him say that he hopes to be here for quite a few years.

I thought it was interesting to hear Phil Thompson say, he thought we should be in negotiations already with Barcelona, offering more money to buy him out of his buy-back clause. I think that's not likely given how he has already performed this season. But maybe if he stayed another season he could force his way into the Spanish team, that would strengthen his position if he went back.

But, whatever happens, he is a joy to watch and single handedly has changed how we play. Whenever he gets the ball, he is always looking to hit Lukaku and stretch defences.

James Stewart
5 Posted 06/12/2015 at 15:20:28
Buy-back clause is irrelevant if he doesn’t want to go anywhere.

Barcelona also won’t be thinking about him half as much as we think they are. The bigger danger would be a third party like Man Utd coming in and offering mega bucks.

He reminds me a lot of a young Ronaldo so there will be interest in him I’m sure but I think he learnt a huge lesson at Sevilla and just wants to play here for the next year or two.

Paul Andrews
6 Posted 06/12/2015 at 15:25:31
"Roberto gave me more confidence in life."

A humble lad too.

Michael Williams
7 Posted 06/12/2015 at 15:33:02
It’s pretty clear that Roberto deserves credit for bringing him here in the first place and bringing him back. It’s obvious by the article RM is the only coach, not the ones from Barca or Sevilla, who actually encouraged and nurtured his talent – giving him "confidence" in his play.

The supporters deserve a big assist for Geri’s happiness as they took to him right away, and he mentions that a lot.

Trevor Peers
8 Posted 06/12/2015 at 15:53:28
Sweet music to the ears from Geri, this is what we want to hear from our young players &#!50; especially the brilliant ones.
Aaron Underwood
9 Posted 06/12/2015 at 16:54:38
Gotta give Martinez a lot of credit, he might frustrate some people on ToffeeWeb but our best players wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the effect that he has on them
Paul Jeronovich
10 Posted 06/12/2015 at 18:28:10
This kid is class and is probably not even at 60% of his potential.
Steve Jenkins
11 Posted 06/12/2015 at 18:55:20
Said it before, if he fulfils his potential he can go on to be in the one of the best players in the world. He's an exceptional talent that needs to be loved, supported and encouraged and he's getting that with the manager, the fans and all around the club (I'd imagine) and you can clearly see how much it means to him.

I think we can keep him for 3 years - beyond that he'll start to hit his prime and it'll be a struggle unless we're reaching the champions ourselves, but even then I can see him returning to Barca.

Hopefully Barca see what a great job we've done in developing Del Boy, both on and off the field, and they will happy to send us more exceptionally talented players (on loan or with buy back options) that aren't ready for the Barca first team, but still players that we would not have a chance of bringing to Everton otherwise.

Jason Murray
12 Posted 06/12/2015 at 20:24:49
In 1985 and 1987 we were the best team in Europe. Hopefully we reach that level again so players don't feel the need to leave for "Bigger things"
Patrick Carty
13 Posted 06/12/2015 at 20:41:56
Everyone in the media seems to be commenting on our fab four of Stones, Barkley, Lukaku and Deulofeu but I think Galloway needs a mention to.

He has done a great job standing in for Baines and at 19 he looks to have a very bright future ahead. Well done, Brendan.

Graham Mockford
14 Posted 06/12/2015 at 20:45:39
Jason,

I would definitely agree we were the best team in Europe in 1985. However, to say 1987 as well is stretching it a bit. I’m not sure we were even the best team in the UK that season! We just found a way of winning when no one else seemed to be able to do so.

In fact the team of 1986 was arguably the best of that era I saw despite winning nothing. We absolutely blew teams away most of the season and it was only an unbelievable run by the RS, Big Nev getting injured, and Lineker missing a one-on-one at Oxford that prevented us winning a double.

Shah Hassan
15 Posted 06/12/2015 at 21:16:58
Magic-man Gerri is gonna be the real deal, if not already, and the longer he stays with us, the better we will be.

Along with the youngsters we have already, like Barkley, Stones, Lukaku, Galloway, McCarthy, Coleman & Co, we've got the best young team around. They have experience and are still growing all the time.

The future is bright regardless of the shit that goes on off the pitch. I’m excited about this team, if we can keep it together that is.

Looking forward to tomorrow after watching Newcastle beat apparently the new Barca haha. What a load of shit. Haha.

Peter Gorman
17 Posted 07/12/2015 at 00:41:51
I agree with Patrick Carty about young Galloway. Both him and Deulofeu are just such competitive characters I wouldn’t bet against them achieving something in the game.

With some players, the attitude is so telling. Deulofeu wants to take the world on, Galloway wants to needle every star he comes up against. For a club that has been starved of winners for so long, they are a breath of fresh air and the same goes for Besic, whenever we see him.

Graham Mockford
18 Posted 07/12/2015 at 12:49:49
Roberto made me chuckle when he was discussing the buy back clause for Geri.

"It is a clause that only operates for 15 days in the summer transfer window," said Martinez. "We could send him on holiday for those 15 days and turn off the fax machine..."

Paul Mackie
19 Posted 07/12/2015 at 13:01:26
The fact that he's provided an assist for 7 of Lukaku's 13 goals this season show's how important he is to us.

I was in the "good signing but bit of a one-trick pony" camp when we signed him, but he's like a totally different player this season. I think in his first spell he'd often try and do too much after beating a player or he'd put a ball in that the forwards just weren't expecting. This season everyone seems to be on the same wavelength and when it works it's absolutely beautiful to behold.

Lee Courtliff
20 Posted 07/12/2015 at 15:06:25
If he’s still here in 18 months time when this clause expires, right now, I feel like it’ll be the best day I’ve had as an Evertonian since the ’95 Cup Final.

I liked him in his first spell but what we are seeing now are the initial signs of a player becoming a truly ’phenomenal’ footballer. I realise I’m getting carried away but he really does look THAT good.

Most young wingers are fast and exciting but how many are fast, exciting, skilful, with an eye for a defence-splitting pass or a Beckham-esque pinpoint cross?

The likes of Giggs, Lennon, Walcott, etc were all criticised for a lack of end product until well into their 20s but Gerri is already providing the final ball that so many wingers find elusive. If he does move into the Number 10 position and adds real goals to his game, then he could go on the highest level.

(Cue, absolute stinker tonight.)

Peter Murray
21 Posted 07/12/2015 at 17:50:10
Agree with everything said so far. We current Evertonians have been spoilt in witnessing the development of Gerard. We’ll be talking about him, misty-eyed, to our children and grand-children and whoever else cares to listen.

However 2 notes of caution:.

1) The kicking against him will now start in real earnest. There were hints of it against Boro. Mentally, he has to learn to handle this.

2) If we are successful this season this predators will be circling first and foremost for Roberto. And he would be a bigger loss than any player that he has brought on so brilliantly.


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