Koeman: Deulofeu allowed to leave in search of game time

Good luck, kid. Enjoy the pasta in Milan.

It's a shame because for fleeting "seconds" he WAS great, but fleeting seconds ain't good enough IMHO.

He never seems fit enough and is wildly inconsistent.

Deulofeu had a spell last season of creating numerous assists and goals for Lukaku, in total he created 34 chances last season in 26 games (a lot as a sub). There were also times were he seemed to be a step ahead of his team mates putting the ball into areas players should have been but weren't.

We need a strong squad which means keeping players like Deulofeu rather than letting them go just because they are not currently playing; if we get a couple of injuries, then what?

Whilst Koeman's honesty is refreshing in some ways, constantly publicising that we don't want players isn't the best way to get a decent fee for them when we sell!

I can only guess there's a fallout behind the scenes, a personality clash or huge difference in football philosophy. Something more to it, I think.

Hopefully we will see another winger soon, especially after so much Twitter activity from some individuals who think they are very well connected at Goodison claiming the Depay deal was more or less rubber-stamped. Onwards and upwards Blues.

Agree with all of that. I also think there's a danger of filling the squad with players that are of similar type, giving us no variation. If this is indeed Koeman's intent, he's one unusual manager alright.

I was excited to see him join the club and will be disappointed to see him leave.

Plus can there ever have been a player of such a tender age that runs out of gas after a few minutes? Psychologically and physically weak; no place for him in most ambitious teams, I'm afraid.

8 Defensive minded players in a team should be more than enough. Let the front 3 roam and create havock. Their only defensive duty should be to press the back line.

I am sure that many of our fans will be sad to see him go; at times, as the song said, he was "magic you know".

You're delusional.

If we were seriously interested why didn't we counter Lyons offer? I think we can file the Depay interest in the bullshit department.

Looked exceptional when he first joined us but has never really come up with the goods. Add to that his unsuccessful loan spell at Sevilla and his failure to progress into the senior Spanish squad at at time when it's a squad in transition, I think we're looking at a prime example of unfulfilled potential.

Always hoped he was going to make it to the real galactico level and we'd see 'our' boy tearing the life out of hapless defences for at least as long as it took for him to be recalled to Spain. I find it sad that it looks like that will never happen.

Thanks to both as they give us a great snapshot of Geri and where he is right now.

We are short on creative players so to sell one without first having a replacement makes little sense. Whilst Koeman's handling of players out of the first team isn't the best way to inspire them to stay and fight for their places, Deulofeu is under a long and no doubt lucrative contract – and he hasn't put in a transfer request.

So yes, we can keep him as part of the squad. As Koeman has said, the club comes first. Mirallas may be flavour of the month but he is inconsistent too and could easily get injured.

Kev has definitely raised his game recently and I'm guessing he's shown that on the training ground too, while Geri still looks like Bambi with a fag behind his ear. Also glad that he's not keeping Jags beyond his sell by date.

It's all good, as long as we buy a couple more strong young players who can fit straight into the first team squad.

Niasse – you are crap, go to a club of your level... Hull!

Cleverley – you are crap, do likewise... Watford!

Deulofeu – you are our best winger, our most skillful and exciting player... you ain't good enough for Everton, go to a club of your level... Serie A Legends AC Milan!

#18 is still there. Where has #20 gone?!

Last year Mirallas wasn't good enough and had no future at the club. New manager, more game time... and he's having a good season.

This year Deulofeu hasn't been given game time and is simply going through what Mirallas went through. The answer... Give him game time and guess what will happen!?

I'm beginning to dislike Koeman. I hope Deulofeu becomes a great player as this could be another Mustafi moment.

As someone has already pointed out enough managers here and in Spain have decided he isn't good enough so I think it is goodbye.

Jason (#32), maybe you can remember a single moment this season... just one... when Geri looked remotely like "our best winger." I sure as hell can't.

Of course Everton still have players on the books who we would like to see the back of, but we can't force them to leave – we have to wait for other clubs to show an interest in them. It's not a question of the manager saying "I want to keep these players and lose those players", but if an opportunity arises to let someone leave who the manager doesn't fancy, obviously that will happen.

Deulofeu isn't Messi, he's not even McFadden, funny how these players become almost legendary when they are not in the team or are about to leave the club. I do understand that Deulofeu has raw talent and one day he may fulfil his potential, but he hasn't done too much to impress the new manager since Koeman arrived and that's what counts.

Kevin, we never know for sure as we don't work within the club. Were all of our signings confirmed as a target in advance by Koeman himself? No.

There's been wide-scale talk and speculation about Depay, more than there was about Lookman as an example, who we actually signed. Koeman also didn't specifically refute the Depay rumours in his "Bullshit" interview, did he? So, based on this, I feel it's highly likely there was mileage in it.

I believe we didn't counter Lyon's offer as Man Utd wanted a sale, not a loan arrangement as we apparently sought. This was rumoured many times as an obstacle.

I haven't been on the edge of my seat since and the players' performances particularly since his return on a permanent basis have been fitful at best.

Also, for the posters concerned that we don't have a replacement – what about Lookman? I'm pretty sure he's a winger!

Steve, I'd prefer Geri to stay and also feel he hasn't had the game time required to properly integrate and show himself in Koeman's team, so there's no basis for comparison. To imply he's performed equivalent to Barkley though, is crazy.

I wonder what the hell it would take for some to "see" Barkley. Have you not been watching the games? Did you miss the City match? Two of the goals directly laid on by him and much more, in that game alone.

All better than Deulofeu and the way it seems that football is and always has been.

And we move on.

I suspect I've seen a great deal more of Williams than you. I will state as a fact he will not be in the Everton team in 12 months. All his inadequacies will come to light.

I will say to you watch his positional play, watch how he tries to avoid heading the ball, particularly at defensive corners, and lastly watch the number of times he gives the ball away.

Look at Spurs or Chelsea: no room for passengers in the Premier League I'm afraid. You need an 11 which can run and tackle for the whole 90 mins if you want to achieve anything.

I didn't see that but as said, he didn't confirm them all. Based on the level of chat and discussion of the loan v purchase issue I feel it safe to conclude on balance that we were interested.

Perhaps the only way as fans then, is to never consider anything possible unless Koeman says it or a player arrives out of the blue. Of course, many times, the manager or club as a whole will want to say nothing of their interest in a player, and won't.

He, like many top players before him has lost that bit of pace now. Once that's gone it makes you look half the player in the EPL.

For Lukaku's goal in the 1-2 defeat to Leicester?

I thought then his days were numbered – never a good idea to bitch about the tasks you're given when you know your comments will get back to the boss.

Don't know how much Geri earns, but the more he gets, the harder it will be for him to find another club.

Interesting that he is being allowed to leave; we appear to have cooled on Depay and the Algerian lad from Liege is not coming. I strongly suspect that Walsh and Koeman have someone else in mind, as a forward has been on the menu as stated.

As for Jags, an excellent servant but no longer good enough and at 34 it is expected, as is his move to Sunderland, as he may be able to keep them up.

Transfer business not done yet and I feel there could still be a big spending move.

We've put up with dreary slow football with hardly a chance created for weeks before Sunday, and this lad has the ability to create a goal from nothing. The guy has so much ability and will score goals if you treat him right. I just can't believe it.

Its no mistake he's not at Barcelona or Man Utd etc.

Physically weak, cant last 90 mins, doesn't have an eye for goal and is pretty ineffective the majority of the time despite the odd good cameo.

What pissses me off is the likes of Kone and Gibson are still in situ yet the like of Geri could be leaving.

As some have pointed out, he showed against Leicester exactly what he can do. However, after that when we needed more of the same, he suddenly turned into the show pony, something he does all too often.

Instead of trying to beat a man or whip in an early cross, he insists on doing multiple stupid step overs and loses the ball again and again. Unfortunately, he shows his class all too seldom. He prefers to posture with arm-flailing when he loses the ball and stand there and admire a pass when one comes off instead of pass and move.

Sorry Colin (#46), he's not even in the same league as Duncan Mckenzie. Duncan could and did show his class week after week, wasn't a workhorse but I can remember as a kid watching him and being in awe of his skill. Shouldn't be mentioned in the same breath as Duncan. Arteta and Pienaar have more skill and produced it regularly than Geri let alone Duncan Mckenzie.

Chris (#48), I think you'll find some of those players you listed wanted to leave and weren't got rid of like you stated. Rooney, Stevens and Steven all wanted to go. Apart from Alan Ball who I know wanted to stay, I don't know about the others, (before my time) but those 3 definitely wanted to go.

It appears to have come across that Koeman is getting rid of Geri but it wouldn't surprise me to learn that Geri went to see him and asked for more time on the field, Koeman couldn't promise a start. Geri reiterates that he wants more playing time and Koeman says maybe it's best you go elsewhere as he can't guarantee it. Pure speculation on my behalf, but possible.

Geri hasn't been remotely consistent so to be honest, it's his own fault he has to seek pastures new. Wish it could have worked out but it wasn't to be. I really don't think it is a case of getting rid of talent because he doesn't fit in it a system, I think it's because he just isn't consistent.

He doesn't have to be a tackler, closing down would help but he just doesn't seem to have or be bothered to have any kind of fitness capable of lasting 45 minutes let alone 90. Not exactly a pleasure to say "Keep me!"

Players should be contributing in a game even when they aren't the star player. Unless Geri manages to create something, you would never know he's on the pitch. Shame really, hope it works out elsewhere. I was surprised when he flopped at Sevilla, now I know why.

Surely we cant be about to sell Jags and Geri without replacing them with something better... or can we?

Geri isn't happy not playing and has obviously told Koeman, and Ron has told him he is allowed to go somewhere else to get playing time.

That's all it is. If he goes on loan and improves, that's good for us.

First half, a free by Silva, from the Holgate 'foul' on Aguero, was cut square towards Aguero on the penalty spot. This was read by Williams who intercepted and cleared.

Second half, Sterling danced inside Funes Mori from the end line on the right, but again, was read by Williams, who tackled Sterling and cleared.

I know that these are just two incidents but they are illustrations of the experience and reading of the game he brings, most likely saving two goals in the process. I agree he's not the best centre half in the league, but he has saved many goals this season and is a very important clear head in the middle of our back 3.

I agree with most that Geri has the talent, but he has never fulfilled his potential... Put him in Tom Davies's shoes last Sunday, he has made forty yards beaten two players, lays the ball off and is barged over by Stones.

Does he jump up and carry on and get into position for the Barkley pass? I think he would have lain down, had a bit of a roll and looked to Clattenberg. Hope he learns from his experience and matures at Milan.

As others have suggested when he arrived some of the skill was sublime but sadly has been found wanting on stamina and consistency.

I hope wherever he ends up he plays well and enjoys a good career, if not back with us in 6 months having proven himself.

I would love to see him back and have a great future with the blues. Good luck for the future.

He'll be worth £50 million once he gets genuine game time in a decent team with a decent manager.

I wouldn't be at all suprised if Coleman and Baines are breathing a huge sigh of relief today, they must have looked at the team sheet on gameday and seen Geri's name and thought oh fuck my workload has just increased ten-fold today.

Anyway, nice lad and good luck in the future, Geri.

As Steve (#34), said – just look at the dross we are still paying a salary to. Unlike all of them Geri has time and scope to improve. But not to worry... at least we've still got Lennon. Give me strength.

Now, with one great win last Sunday (thanks mainly to two young players who Koemann has avoided using until recently), Koeman is the Messiah.

For me the jury is still out and unless we can follow up with a good win at Palace on Saturday we have taken one step forward and (only) one step back. I believe a good manager would coach Delefeu to be the player he want and could be to benefit the team.

Just look at Del Boys twitter and you can see he is committed. Selling him would be a mistake as I believe he has something to contribute to the team as have Barkley, Mirallas, McCarthy all players who Koemann has publically humiliated.

I will retract all these comments if we win on Saturday and end up with at least two more significant signings, a support/alternative to Lukaku and a back up central defender to cover for aging Williams/Jags. Otherwise, we are as we are every year, talk a lot about signings with a couple of frantic final day purchases and one significant win to give us false hope.

Once a Blue ,always a Blue.

Perhaps if Geri the magician belongs in a better team with a better manager, then the likes of Davies, Holgate, Barkley and Lukaku et al should all piss off now and join these so called better clubs with better managers.

The only consistent thing about some Blues is their not so endearing way of doing the club and anything connected to it a major disservice.

No-one can deny he's talented. But it's not happened consistently enough.

Sacrifice the individual for the team. That seems to be the way.

I have no idea what you are alluding to there. Are you suggesting that he deserved to be singled out for harsh treatment, or it would only be harsh if he had been shot? Confused by your comment would be an understatement, please clarify.

Koeman has come in and assessed the squad, told the players what he wants and some of them either can't or won't comply.

He's had his time and not achieved anything. Time for a change – this applies to a number of them.

Who has said he belongs in a better team with a better manager?

Have I misread your words?

I clearly want him to stay here. I thought that was abundantly clear.

I guess the skills and decision-making could develop but he should have developed the attitude and application by now – you don't need time to develop them, surely?

As for misreading things quite a bit, I'm not sure that's true but if that's how you see it!

He's a luxury player and frankly I couldn't give a toss if he doesn't track back. He brings more creativity than most of the rest put together.

Big mistake... But then again we've plenty of potential Number 10s at the club, don't we?

The problem with Delboy is Delboy. Maybe the light will go on over his head someday. He is young yet.

3 managers in a row, in 3 seasons in a row, gave him less and less playing time; all the way down to none at all.

He's the only one can pull his head out.

Barca didn't want him, Sevilla didn't want him and now we can't guarantee him a start. He doesn't apply himself and all the talent in the world won't matter if the individual can't or won't apply himself on a regular basis.

Professional football is littered with wasted careers from players who had the ability but didn't want to put the time and effort in to make it work for him. Think the likes of Messi, Ronaldo, Bale etc just turn up on matchday and be brilliant? No they work bloody hard every day in training and after training to be that good.

Geri's performances say to me that he thinks he can get by on ability alone. It just doesn't work like that.

I think it is probably irrelevant whether they wanted to leave or not. Deulofeu wants to leave too by the look of it.

My point was the history of Everton is littered with players who have left for whatever reason, many far superior to him, many as good and many a lot worse.

And the same for every other club throughout the history of the game. It is what happens.

He wants to go – fine off you go lad, we'll get someone else and as always we will move on.

And we'll still be here as will Everton .

We await the new Arteta, like we have since the best little Spaniard left a few years ago.

Maybe if he's gets a chance in the number 10 role on a consistent basis he'd rise to the challenge. But he's never been given that chance... He's been behind Barkley and Mirallas for that role... and I have no idea why. I thought when he played up top in pre-season that Koeman was maybe trying to use him more centrally.. but that died a death.

From what I've seen of Koeman so far, he doesn't appear to be arsed about coaching players to become better players. If they don't fit in automatically then they're out. I think he's taking the easy option again if he lets Deulofeu go.

Geri is not fit enough, disciplined enough, or consistent enough for any team that has ambitions of breaking into the top 4. If he isn't prepared to work hard and get fit then he simply hasn't got the dedication required to become a player who can be relied upon.

Blaming Koeman's coaching methods is ridiculous. His fitness and work ethic has to be his own responsibility. Look at how much fitter Ross has got in the last few weeks.

Good luck to him wherever he goes, and I truly hope that club buys him on a permanent deal.

Cheers mate, no problem. I'm too old and knackered these days and it's just history repeating itself I suppose.

2 more players in before the window shuts and on we go.

Not even close.

Anyway, Koeman doesn't fancy him so best for all sides for him to move on. Koeman obviously believes in Lookman more.

Also interesting comments re Jags. Great servant but his time as a regular starter at Everton is in the past. If Moyes wants to roll back his years and take him on, I'll wish Jags all the best there.

On with the clear out.

Ross is a two-footed player who can go either way and has a fantastic touch. Geri is very much right footed and can only go to his right. This is the main reason he can't play the number 10 role.

Do you honestly think that Koeman and his coaching staff wouldn't have tried it in training?

Anyway, no point in arguing, he's going and we'll be just fine.

Geri would get roughed up in an under-12s game, the lads a poster boy for the saying show pony. Unfortunately he doesn't put on a show that often.

I can't comment on what Koeman does in training... but the player puts in consistently good performances for Spain in that number 10 role. So you're simply wrong in concluding he can't play that role because he's predominantly right-footed.

"From what I've seen of Koeman so far, he doesn't appear to be arsed about coaching players to become better players. If they don't fit in automatically then they're out."

Hmmm... I think that can be disputed. In the short time he's been here, he's nutured 2 youngsters, Galloway and Davies, from the juniors to the seniors, playing them when he deemed fit, but being selective when he played them.

Add to that the numerous times he has been berated for his public pronouncements on Barkley, a player who he has been willing to drop or sub out for not performing to the levels Koeman demands ... and the result ..?

We are gradually seeing a 'different' Barkley who finally appears to be taking on board the demands and levels of expectancy the manager has placed upon him.

That strikes me as the polar opposite of a manager who "doesn't appear to be arsed about coaching players to become better players."

As for moving on Deulofeu, I would be gutted. Whilst accepting some of the criticisms and doubts levelled against him, he is the one player above all others at the club who has mercurial gifts few others possess.

All well and good having a team full of work mules, but to be truly successful a well-balanced side needs a thoroughbred or two.

Deulofeu for me is a true thoroughbred. Whether he is remembered as one or rather a gelding at the end of his career can only, in the final reckoning, be determined by the player himself.

Okay, managers make mistakes but Koeman sees Geri in training every day and he's paid to make difficult decisions. On this decision I agree 100%.

Yeh it's a shame and I'd love Geri to be as good as he can be, for a couple of minutes per game, for most of the game. He's had plenty of chances to do that and he hasn't.

Koeman wants someone who'll have more effect on the whole game not someone who does the odd brilliant thing and very little else. Step up or step out should be our motto.

With progress comes change.

But as you say, no point arguing. I just hope I'm wrong and we don't regret it.

In fact, you're a better advocate than he is a player.

Doing a dozen step-overs does not make him more technically gifted than Ross. Koeman sees them both in training and clearly thinks Ross is the better player in the No 10 role.

Do you not trust Koeman to assess a player's potential and ability, bearing in mind that as a player and coach he has trained with world class players for a large part of his life?<[p>You also have most probably never watched Geri in training and therefore do not see what Koeman does on a daily basis.

He may well do reasonably well in a less physically demanding league but he has had his chances in the Premier League and can't cut it, save for those few inspirational moments which are too few and far between.

Ciaràn has been a great advocate for Geri. And out of respect I have finally worked out how to give his second 'a' an accent.

Apologies, Ciaràn, for not working it out earlier.

It proves your categorical statement that he cannot play the number 10 role is wrong.

You also state he can't do it in the seniors.. I'll ask one question.. how do you know this? From my recollection, I can't remember him starting a single game in the Number 10 role. If your reasoning is simply based on what I haven't seen in training, then the debate is redundant.

The opposition to Deulofeu seems to be centred on inconsistency... That could applied to every single one of our players this season, especially the paragon of virtue that is Ross "one game on, one game off" Barkley.

Our current squad needs that firm honest leadership.

The 3-2 West Brom away game, he was good for 45 mins – the best I've seen him play.

Many cite Arsenal in his loan season, but the team performed well that not just Geri. He won't be missed, apart from the marketing department.

So you'd think maybe Koeman has figured we are incapable of playing with genuine wingers.

I think he knows we cannot play 3-4-3, inevitably it sags to a 3-6-1! We are likely to play the rest of the season 3-5-2. Baines and Coleman our width, strangely that makes Lennon Coleman's understudy!

To let him go would, in my view, be a poor decision by our coach, a very poor decision.

I thought we had got a gem, but I'll probably get slated, he's a Spanish McGeady, do something special, but for poor old Coleman, a nightmare to have in front of you.

As for Ross, different class.

"For those who still rate him and think he's not been given a fair chance, then just look at his stats.

Season Team App Goals
2011–2013 Barcelona B 68 (27)
2011–2015 Barcelona 2 (0)
2013–2014Everton (loan)25 (3)
2014–2015 Sevilla (loan)17 (1)
2015– Everton 37 (2)

In 5 years he has scored 6 goals at senior level. This is from a young Spanish lad with loads of pace and skill and was hoped would be the next Messi for Barcelona.

Yes he does well at underage level but the lad is now 22, but he hasn't moved on. Last year Ross Barkley was 22 and he scored 12 goals in the 2015-16 season."

Ciaràn, the above is not evidence that he can't play the No 10 role, but no manager who has had him in a senior team has believed he can play it otherwise they would have played him there. Do you honestly think they wouldn't have considered it?

What Koeman sees in training – that you don't – is an important factor. I'm sure Koeman has tried it as I'm sure Martinez did. There's a reason that Geri has never been played there in a senior match. You can't seriously believe that nobody else has ever considered the option?

Anyway, bored now. I personally hope that Ajax buy him and we get Dolberg in exchange.

I make a prediction that Jags will be playing in the Premier League somewhere long after Williams has finished.

My biggest concern with Del was always 'fitness'. Clearly there's an issue there and it goes beyond his physical conditioning. At 60 minutes, he almost completely stops. Everyone gets tired but something keeps you going. With Del, he was happy to stop once he got tired. No heart, no determination – his character (or lack of) will probably limit him forever.

Hope he can turn it around at a new club as he seemed a nice bloke and gave us some great moments.

All the best to the boy and good luck in the future, shame it's not at Everton... we move on.

Link

...and expressed his distaste at having to spend more time defending rather than attacking, probably sounded the death knell on Deulofeu's time at Everton. Koeman clearly had his doubts prior to that, hence the lack of starts, but Gerard's gob probably sealed the deal.

However, it can't really be seen as a simple case of Koeman forcing the player out when you have AC Milan sniffing around. I would wager that Deulofeu will be desperate for this move to come off, as most players with no real attachment to a club would be if the chance of playing in the San Siro suddenly popped up.

It's not like he's going to be skulking out of Goodison with a titty lip on, despondent at the thought of thumbing a lift to some dark, depressing, shithole like Stoke and wondering where the hell his career went so wrong.

Go to Italy, turn it on enough times over the next four months to convince Milan to make the deal permanent and he could legitimately make the claim he's actually moved on a level.

Those saying he's been a 'flatters to deceive fairy' with no end product throughout his entire time at the club need to remind themselves of the form he was showing (along with the chances he was regularly creating) in the first half of last season, before a lost-the-plot Martinez put a lid on the lads head of steam by dropping him to the bench and leaving him there for five months.

He's not really had a run of games to show what he's capable of since.

Put it this way; if you were to give AC Milan free pick of any of the wide players on our books (Deulofeu, Bolasie, Lennon, Mirallas, McGeady, Lookman) they would still wind up taking the same one.

A world in which it's 'sound' to spunk almost 㿊m on Yannick Bolasie, whilst letting Deulofeu leave on loan, is one so backwards I'm half expecting to hear Charlton Heston's cries of anguish bellowing through the window any minute now, after he stumbles across an arseless birdshit-encrusted Statue of Liberty moored on Crosby beach.

"Gerard is our only player who can terrify defenders."

Wha?????

What planet are you orbiting, mate?

The player who left four Chelsea defenders in the dust last March and then spun an England centre-back like a top before finishing in the bottom corner... that wasn't Gerard.

The player who left two Leicester defenders for dead on Boxing Day and scored a goal that maybe 20 forwards in the world could score... that wasn't Gerard.

Rom with the ball in the open field gives defenders heart attacks. What Geri gives them at this point is the ball.

None of them were in any way tacklers but they all worked hard at their game and became important to the team rather than just "luxury" players. I don't want a "luxury" player, I think it is a myth.

Kevin Sheedy was often labelled the "luxury" player. It was bollocks then as it is now. Sheeds worked hard at the role he had on the pitch and worked hard to improve his game to be a world class left side midfielder.

Deulofeu should have been for us what Sanchez is for Arsenal, but he is in the same ineffectual bracket as Bilyaletdinov for me. It is strange (or maybe not) that if we rewind a few years we could easily switch the name Deulofeu with Bily in TW discussions and you wouldn't be able to tell the difference.

Right down to the same "played out of position", "manager doesn't know how to use him", "mark my words, he'll be a legend when he goes somewhere else" comments.

The most laughable thing for me is that he will somehow do well in the toughest defensive league in the world. Well he may well do, and good luck to him, but unless he changes his attitude he will go down the same path to football obscurity as Bily in my opinion.

The reason by the way, in my opinion, is much simpler than managers, systems or positions. I think he is just lazy and not prepared to put the workload in to address his shortcomings. A criminal waste of his own talent.

And yet you did just that 40 minutes earlier to suit your own argument...

"From what I've seen of Koeman so far, he doesn't appear to be arsed about coaching players to become better players."

If the lad was as good as these posters think, would he not be able to adapt? After all... a great footballer is rarely called out for playing in one position.

I've yet to see him hold off defenders, shield the ball, and bring in others – all things a Number 10 has to have in his locker – and he don't score goals for fun either.

Where did I say I was commenting on what I'd seen in training?

These debates would help if people didn't read things that weren't there.

So if not a comment on training, where does this apparent non-coaching of players take place?

What would help these debates if is "people" didn't try to deflect their own contradictions with semantics.

Your final statement sums it up for me perfectly. I also agree with your other points which are similar to those I've made in a couple of posts.

I still think Deulofeu has a lot to offer, as I said post #12 he had a spell last season of creating numerous assists and goals for Lukaku, in total he created 34 chances last season in 26 games (a lot as a sub).

There were also times were he seemed to be a step ahead of his team mates putting the ball into areas players should have been but weren't.

Now THAT is telling it as it is. THAT is giving us the "unpalatable truth".

Delivered with kick-in-the-bollocks candour.