Gerard Deulofeu

[davids]

He's suited to the European Leagues but the Prem week by week is just too physically demanding for him.Proved at Seville that teams that play a high tempo pressing game are just not suited to his style.Fingers crossed we end up getting some decent money for him,even though the contract with Barcelona makes it complicated.

 

[Omarza]

I don't think anyone is slating him over what the manager says - the evidence of him standing on the halfway line, hands on hips, sometimes half-slumped forwards blowing after half an hour is enough for most people to know that he doesn't have the required fitness to put in a shift for the team and this manager won't allow luxury players in the side as Martinez did. Can't/won't press from the front, sporadic attempts to mark overlapping full backs, seems to lose interest after he gets a kick or two etc etc. I can see that with my own eyes, don't need anyone to put it in the media to confirm it.

Ability-wise, I think you'd be hard-pressed to find anyone who doesn't think he's got the lot but unfortunately that's not enough in this day and age

He frustrates me massively because I know there is a potential superstar in there, but I don't think we'll ever see it here. That said, I admire him wanting to play every week rather than sit and pick up his wages like many players seem happy to do. That being the case, given it now seems really unlikely that he'll come back here and be a success, I hope he goes on somewhere else and fulfills that obvious potential

Regarding the fitness and shift...after watching him play quite a lot at Milan he is getting better firstly. Keep in mind that the type of player he is, when he sprints he does it with everything hes got most of the times (that's how he gets that extra few yards on opponents)...and that takes something out of a player...and that is what makes him dangerous. Even a sprinter that does a quick dash will pant, and we expect a player that runs like that to be like the others that are not fully sprinting most of the time (difficult to explain in words).

Watch him at Milan...he also does that and get tired...and very soon afterwards he recovers and is a danger all over again, as they allow him to recover and prefer the dangerous side of him kicking in. He even tracks back and defended brilliantly for Milan at times...just don't expect him to run for 90 minutes and expect him to sprint the whole time in-between the way he does...that will be too much for any player. His sprint is getting that extra few yards out of him by giving everything and that is extremely tiresome. (once again difficult to explain in words). That's the type of player he is...and after 90 minutes of playing him right he still poses a threat to teams and are almost never substituted...even for Spain U-21's etc. You have to use him right which we never did in my opinion.

 

[toffeeblue9]

Regarding the fitness and shift...after watching him play quite a lot at Milan he is getting better firstly. Keep in mind that the type of player he is, when he sprints he does it with everything hes got most of the times (that's how he gets that extra few yards on opponents)...and that takes something out of a player...and that is what makes him dangerous. Even a sprinter that does a quick dash will pant, and we expect a player that runs like that to be like the others that are not fully sprinting most of the time (difficult to explain in words).

Watch him at Milan...he also does that and get tired...and very soon afterwards he recovers and is a danger all over again, as they allow him to recover and prefer the dangerous side of him kicking in. He even tracks back and defended brilliantly for Milan at times...just don't expect him to run for 90 minutes and expect him to sprint the whole time in-between the way he does...that will be too much for any player. His sprint is getting that extra few yards out of him by giving everything and that is extremely tiresome. (once again difficult to explain in words). That's the type of player he is...and after 90 minutes of playing him right he still poses a threat to teams and are almost never substituted...even for Spain U-21's etc. You have to use him right which we never did in my opinion.

I've watched every minute he's played for Milan that's been shown on BT

I think much of this "brilliant" form is being overstated. He's not playing as well as he was for us at the beginning of last season, for example, but Martinez absolved him of any defensive responsibility for a lot of the time

I accept your point about the sprinting etc, but he is not being required to press from the front at Milan, and his role (sort of an inside left for a lot of games) has seen him not be required to follow a full back either for big parts of the game. He has done at times, particularly when he's been moved over to the right hand side, but I think you're overstating the "brilliant" defending bit.

 

[Khalekan]

Never seen anything like it. Evertonians seem to be changing. Years ago when the likes of Alex Young and Duncan McKenzie - artists rather than artisans - were drummed out of a team by a manager, the fans took the side of the players in question because they embodied the artistry the club were known to cherish. Now many/most fans seem to be four-square behind a manager doing the drumming out.

Spot on, Dave.

Harry was actually mobbed at Blackpool when the Golden Vision was dropped.

 

[Saint Domingo]

Can't believe there's not a place for him in this team. In the 4321 we seem to play could Deulofeu not be next to Ross in the spot that Lookman/DCL/Mirallas have all failed to nail down?

 

[Saint Domingo]

Never seen anything like it. Evertonians seem to be changing. Years ago when the likes of Alex Young and Duncan McKenzie - artists rather than artisans - were drummed out of a team by a manager, the fans took the side of the players in question because they embodied the artistry the club were known to cherish. Now many/most fans seem to be four-square behind a manager doing the drumming out.

Tactical systems should be built to incorporate these artists in the team. So what if he doesn't track back or press, Idrissa Gueye can't put a ball on a plate for Rom 2 to 3 times s match but doesn't get slated for it. Sadly nearly every manager now consigns flair players to the wing where their defensive frailties do the least damage but they still end up annoying them so they move back to these defensive mid heavy formations.

Want to blame anyone? Blame the likes of Klopp Pochettino Simeone etc. who have basically perfected anti football. It used to be that you'd get cultural clashes, a free flowing Arsenal v long ball Stoke etc. Both styles could co exist and whichever side executed it better would win the day. What the three above preach is the destruction of the other teams football, run like dogs and get in their faces so quickly that any passing football is pretty much impossible. Even probably the greatest free flowing possession midfield of all time in Xavi Iniesta Busquets have been neutered by this. What it does is forces the other team to get to that level, to clear any ball upfield quickly and run after that even harder. Any team that dares not conform gets absolutely destroyed like Arsenal Spurs and us all have done trying to play possession football at Anfield.

The bottom sides have learnt how to counter it. Sit deep and let them have the ball, don't build any attack of your own, just turn them round with the long ball continuously until they make a mistake.

The first half of the Derby at Goodison saw us match up to Liverpool in this respect, McCarthy and Gueye tearing after Can and Henderson in a battle of yarddogs. As soon as we reduced the intensity with Barry coming on we were so worried about getting caught on the ball we just sat off.

Sadly in all these different scenarios a player like Deulofeu doesn't fit. If even the greatest are now being stifled by the yarddogs of the football circuit, whatjope for a player as streaky as Deulofeu? I thought Guardiola's Barca would bring around the rebirth of the attacking football we all love to watch and what this club is based on. Sadly it just spawned a complete overreaction to it from managers now considered geniuses for nothing better than implementing a hard running game but with class players. In my eyes the likes of Klopp Pochettino Simeone regardless of the trophies they win are actually worse exponents of percentage football than any of the old dinosaurs like Pulis Bruce or Allardyce. At least the old school actually back their style no matter how ugly it is to watch and involves a little bit of trying to create something yourself. Drilling 10 outfield players just to do nothing but harangue the opposition for 90 minutes is cowardly and anti football. When poor teams give Liverpool the ball they struggle to create anything attacking wise for themselves.

If Liverpool played Atletico in Europe I wouldn't be surprised if both sides left the ball in the centre circle waiting for the other team to take possession. That sadly is the direction they have now taken the game. Unless you're armed with Messi Iniesta and Xavi you can't play football against it, even with these you might still get done. What hope does a talent like Deulofeu have in this environment?

 

[Papa Shango]

Can't believe there's not a place for him in this team. In the 4321 we seem to play could Deulofeu not be next to Ross in the spot that Lookman/DCL/Mirallas have all failed to nail down?

What is the point of having another player failing to nail the position down?

 

[ToffeeTim]

There is no defence for his lazy gutless attitude

 

[Sharpys top lip]

Lok, some player suite other systems and leagues....

Over 3 season we've seen hes not cut out for the Prem. Sell him and get what we can. Just one of them!!!

 

[Omarza]

I've watched every minute he's played for Milan that's been shown on BT

I think much of this "brilliant" form is being overstated. He's not playing as well as he was for us at the beginning of last season, for example, but Martinez absolved him of any defensive responsibility for a lot of the time

I accept your point about the sprinting etc, but he is not being required to press from the front at Milan, and his role (sort of an inside left for a lot of games) has seen him not be required to follow a full back either for big parts of the game. He has done at times, particularly when he's been moved over to the right hand side, but I think you're overstating the "brilliant" defending bit.

We all have our opinions and rightfully so. I am not sure Deulofeu's performances is overrated. I also watched every game (except one) and what I saw is the reason why he has been called up to the Spain side. That's not because he is playing for Milan due to their club name, they are a poor team in general at the moment as they are in a rebuilding process. But its due to his performances on the pitch in my opinion. Players like Alonso, Mata, Fabregas have all been left out which are at clubs with bigger names. According to Lopetegui "He was not playing consistently at his previous team, but since joining Milan he has taken on an important role, is at a good level and has improved with the things that we felt he had to improve on. He can help us and we like him." And that is also what I saw in his games for Milan.

Defensively he helps out his team mates and I have even seen him as basically the last man in defence stopping a great counter by Juventus. A tackle in the box stopping a dangerous pass against Chievo (I think that could have resulted in a Chievo goal wasnt it for his tackle) and the list goes on. Of course he still makes mistakes but I have no doubt that even Barcalona might consider buying him back (not for selling purposes) as the rate he is improving at the moment is scary. All he needed was someone to trust him and give him enough playing time to become the player he is busy becoming atm.

Maybe I am biased...but I doubt it...I honestly think he is going to set the world alight within the next few years. I just wish it would have been for Everton. As I said...that's my opinion and opinions are of course not always right

 

[davek]

Tactical systems should be built to incorporate these artists in the team. So what if he doesn't track back or press, Idrissa Gueye can't put a ball on a plate for Rom 2 to 3 times s match but doesn't get slated for it. Sadly nearly every manager now consigns flair players to the wing where their defensive frailties do the least damage but they still end up annoying them so they move back to these defensive mid heavy formations.

Want to blame anyone? Blame the likes of Klopp Pochettino Simeone etc. who have basically perfected anti football. It used to be that you'd get cultural clashes, a free flowing Arsenal v long ball Stoke etc. Both styles could co exist and whichever side executed it better would win the day. What the three above preach is the destruction of the other teams football, run like dogs and get in their faces so quickly that any passing football is pretty much impossible. Even probably the greatest free flowing possession midfield of all time in Xavi Iniesta Busquets have been neutered by this. What it does is forces the other team to get to that level, to clear any ball upfield quickly and run after that even harder. Any team that dares not conform gets absolutely destroyed like Arsenal Spurs and us all have done trying to play possession football at Anfield.

The bottom sides have learnt how to counter it. Sit deep and let them have the ball, don't build any attack of your own, just turn them round with the long ball continuously until they make a mistake.

The first half of the Derby at Goodison saw us match up to Liverpool in this respect, McCarthy and Gueye tearing after Can and Henderson in a battle of yarddogs. As soon as we reduced the intensity with Barry coming on we were so worried about getting caught on the ball we just sat off.

Sadly in all these different scenarios a player like Deulofeu doesn't fit. If even the greatest are now being stifled by the yarddogs of the football circuit, whatjope for a player as streaky as Deulofeu? I thought Guardiola's Barca would bring around the rebirth of the attacking football we all love to watch and what this club is based on. Sadly it just spawned a complete overreaction to it from managers now considered geniuses for nothing better than implementing a hard running game but with class players. In my eyes the likes of Klopp Pochettino Simeone regardless of the trophies they win are actually worse exponents of percentage football than any of the old dinosaurs like Pulis Bruce or Allardyce. At least the old school actually back their style no matter how ugly it is to watch and involves a little bit of trying to create something yourself. Drilling 10 outfield players just to do nothing but harangue the opposition for 90 minutes is cowardly and anti football. When poor teams give Liverpool the ball they struggle to create anything attacking wise for themselves.

If Liverpool played Atletico in Europe I wouldn't be surprised if both sides left the ball in the centre circle waiting for the other team to take possession. That sadly is the direction they have now taken the game. Unless you're armed with Messi Iniesta and Xavi you can't play football against it, even with these you might still get done. What hope does a talent like Deulofeu have in this environment?

Is there any reason you left Koeman off that list? He does precisely the same. It was a seamless transition for him into Pocettino's set up at Southampton and what he's done so far since being here is to get hold of the two flair players we had, punt one and clip the wings of the other.

 

[Omarza]

Is there any reason you left Koeman off that list? He does precisely the same. It was a seamless transition for him into Pocettino's set up at Southampton and what he's done so far since being here is to get hold of the two flair players we had, punt one and clip the wings of the other.

This might give me a lot of flak saying this BUT its what I think and lets say it. Sadly one needs the flair players to start challenging for the title and winning trophy's. I would gladly take a year or two of struggling to be really competitive if we were molding the team into a truly winning team, playing with flair...but unfortunately I think we are going to settle challenging for Europe most of the time unless something changes.

 

[davek]

Young delivered though dave...MacKenzie less so, but he bossed the semi...and they both played in 2 different worlds...and sometimes out of them.

The point though is that whether they deliver or not the attitude was always to champion them against what were thought to be pragmatists looking for percentage football and who distrusted quicksilver players.

 

[BigDunc'sFod]

I think he's boss NEA

 

[Connor]

He's a brilliant lad, genuine and all, with tonnes of Magic in his boots but it hasn't fully clicked - yet.

Seen Milan fans praise his work rate, which has - for the majority of his career - been nonexistent. He's suited to Serie A because he's rapid and playing against lethargic players.

Sadly, he's had two goes here and while at times he's boss, we've more than likely seen the end of Gerri's time with us. We've changed system now and he does not suit it.

He'll go on to be an absolutely mercurial European talent that you look at and go: "Remember the goal against Arsenal? Now look at him."