Gerard Deulofeu - Once a Blue, always a Blue

[FCBarça]

I wouldn't say it's a certainty he'll be a world class player, but he has every chance and I'll be surprised if he doesn't. On the "talent at young age" theme. There are lots of kids who look truly exceptional at a particular age who don't fulfil that promise.

There are absolutely lots of kids who never realize their potential or meet the hype, that's a given...It's merely an opinion that I feel his success is a certainty, how could it be anything else?

If you put "could be" instead of "is", you'd fine everyone here agreeing with you and your position wouldn't look so ludicrous.

The selection means nothing. Ask Dave Nugent, Rohan Ricketts, Francis Jeffers.

You're crowing about the talents of a lad who hasn't done anything of note yet. I appreciate you rate the kid, but when you're talking about how good he was aged 7 to prove he's a talent now, then you've automatically lost the discussion.

He's already an outstanding talent, how many players of his caliber can you compare him to in his age group?...I've only ever pointed out that he is one of the premier talents of his generation and has been heralded as such for nearly a decade and why he had been the subject of pursuit by English clubs over the years...Him being outstanding at 9 doesn't, on it's own, mean anything but when you consider at each age he has been the premier talent for his age category and above it illustrates how long he has been better than the rest...The best indicator of future success are the performances along the way and his have been remarkable

The selection would mean nothing if it were for a country that has never won much nevermind the current title holders of the WC, Euros (twice in a row) and the current epicenter of the best football being played atm...But it's not, it's La Roja - the NT that could field 2 or 3 competitive sides for the WC

 

[ilikecheese]

@FCBarça

I don't disagree that he has the potential and may very well realize it to be a world class player.

However, you can't honestly say he's even in that discussion as of now...or can you?

He's got world class pace...you can't teach that...the lad is fast, but beyond that, what else does he do that is above average? He's terribly one footed...his decision making is poor...his crossing might be better than average...his vision is below par....I just think he's far from reaching that elite level....but he does have those moments.

I'd actually like a straight answer...I think I've handed you a straight question.

 

[FCBarça]

@FCBarça

I don't disagree that he has the potential and may very well realize it to be a world class player.

However, you can't honestly say he's even in that discussion as of now...or can you?

He's got world class pace...you can't teach that...the lad is fast, but beyond that, what else does he do that is above average? He's terribly one footed...his decision making is poor...his crossing might be better than average...his vision is below par....I just think he's far from reaching that elite level....but he does have those moments.

I'd actually like a straight answer...I think I've handed you a straight question.

When you're talking about possible world class talents, when you compile a list of 19/20 year olds with Ballon D'Or potential etc., then Deulofeu's name is on that list

You say he's one footed and you say he only has pace, I say he is a danger from both the left & right and is a phenomenal dribbler...His greatest asset, beyond the pace & dribbling, is his eye for goal...He is a goalscorer and I believe he will be a prolific one in Europe...And as I have said many times before, he has been a star player on every level he's played - Hence Del Bosque calling him up now

How far he is from reaching the elite discussion is a subject of debate and won't be determined until he plays more...When he plays more with Barcelona's first team, we'll get a better idea of how far he is away from it but this is the most ready I have seen him in years...Some of you are playing a semantics game for whatever reason, perhaps because you've only been hearing about the player for less than a year...For Barcelona fans, he's been in the discussion for years already

 

[ilikecheese]

When you're talking about possible world class talents, when you compile a list of 19/20 year olds with Ballon D'Or potential etc., then Deulofeu's name is on that list

You say he's one footed and you say he only has pace, I say he is a danger from both the left & right and is a phenomenal dribbler...His greatest asset, beyond the pace & dribbling, is his eye for goal...He is a goalscorer and I believe he will be a prolific one in Europe...And as I have said many times before, he has been a star player on every level he's played - Hence Del Bosque calling him up now

How far he is from reaching the elite discussion is a subject of debate and won't be determined until he plays more...When he plays more with Barcelona's first team, we'll get a better idea of how far he is away from it but this is the most ready I have seen him in years...Some of you are playing a semantics game for whatever reason, perhaps because you've only been hearing about the player for less than a year...For Barcelona fans, he's been in the discussion for years already

I won't disagree with most of that...however, he hasn't met his left foot yet. He can dribble...very well...left that off my list...but he played nearly 100% right footed for us. The video evidence is there...he's about as two footed as Arjen Robben...maybe not even that good.

I don't disagree that he has the potential to be a goal scorer...but again, it's totally a potential/talent argument at this point...he simply didn't produce the goods often enough.

And as I have said many times before, he has been a star player on every level he's played

He was not a star player at Everton. He was Royston Drenthe with a right foot...and a better temperment.

 

[Axlswhk]

This thread reminds me of thai politics.

I'm still trying to fugure out who is red and who is yellow.

 

[Omarza]

There is a massive difference between supporting a player and supporting a team. When supporting a player one tends to focus on the specific player and the times he does something very special. When supporting a team one looks at a player and to what he contributes to the team...how he gels into the team and link up with his team mates etc. You also then look towards those instances where the player could have done better by doing something else that would have benefited the team combined with areas where the player can develop to the benefit of a team. Some people tend to forget...there are no I in TEAM.

Now the reason I am mentioning that...IF you look at Deulofeu purely from a single player point of view he is amazing...and have some amazing skills. But when you look at him in context of a team...and what he can bring to a team over 90min he still have much to learn...and in my opinion one of the reasons he was loaned to Everton. He has improved in that area BUT still needs to improve. The pure fact that slightly above average players sometimes start ahead of a player with potential world class skills illustrates that point. However you only learn over time on HOW to become a team player with experience IF you are willing to learn to make decisions to the BENEFIT of the TEAM...and not to the benefit of yourself. I am sure that once that is mastered Deulofeu will be a world class player. until that is mastered he will be a POTENTIAL world class player imo.

I think that is why so many people argue about Deulofeu...almost everybody sees his skills...BUT people are looking from 2 different perspectives...one group at the player and his current ability and potential...the other group at the player within the team environment. The pure fact that Barclay and Stones currently integrates better into a team environment to me tells me that Deulofeu still needs some development to become a great player. I am not doubting his skills...he is a very very skillful person. My opinion is...he will learn and reach his full potential and become a great player into the future...but still needs time for that to happen.

 

[Blue Cheese]

On Spains stand by list for the WC according to the Echo

 

[TheFinnFan]

Nice letter to evertonians.

Ta Deu!

 

[steken1]

There are absolutely lots of kids who never realize their potential or meet the hype, that's a given...It's merely an opinion that I feel his success is a certainty, how could it be anything else?





He's already an outstanding talent, how many players of his caliber can you compare him to in his age group?...I've only ever pointed out that he is one of the premier talents of his generation and has been heralded as such for nearly a decade and why he had been the subject of pursuit by English clubs over the years...Him being outstanding at 9 doesn't, on it's own, mean anything but when you consider at each age he has been the premier talent for his age category and above it illustrates how long he has been better than the rest...The best indicator of future success are the performances along the way and his have been remarkable

The selection would mean nothing if it were for a country that has never won much nevermind the current title holders of the WC, Euros (twice in a row) and the current epicenter of the best football being played atm...But it's not, it's La Roja - the NT that could field 2 or 3 competitive sides for the WC

The epicentre of boss football is clearly Madrid mate. I think everyone that knows football can see Barca finishing 3rd for quite some time.

Potentially a new philosophy coming too.

 

[BirkenheadBlue]

The epicentre of boss football is clearly Madrid mate. I think everyone that knows football can see Barca finishing 3rd for quite some time.

Potentially a new philosophy coming too.

The "epicentre of boss football" was Germany 12 months ago... Things change very quickly. Not exactly a stretch to see Barca back in the top 2 next season, or even winning it - you realise they only finished 2nd this season by a couple of points right? And probably would have won the league if they hadn't had to play the last 6 weeks or something with a keeper i wouldn't want at Everton, and a load of defenders missing?

 

[steken1]

The "epicentre of boss football" was Germany 12 months ago... Things change very quickly. Not exactly a stretch to see Barca back in the top 2 next season, or even winning it - you realise they only finished 2nd this season by a couple of points right? And probably would have won the league if they hadn't had to play the last 6 weeks or something with a keeper i wouldn't want at Everton, and a load of defenders missing?

Lets be honest mate. The real measure at that level is the CL. Barca have been destroyed the past two seasons and never looked like getting there in La Liga either. Atletico toyed with them that last game despite injuries mounting for them too.

I think every Barca fan will be looking at madrid with envious eyes. Best sidesnow. Best young players coming through, best managers in the game and the best style of football to go with it. It could be back to being in Real's shadow for a long time for Barca, especially considering the debt and a potential transfer ban.

 

[BirkenheadBlue]

Lets be honest mate. The real measure at that level is the CL. Barca have been destroyed the past two seasons and never looked like getting there in La Liga either. Atletico toyed with them that last game despite injuries mounting for them too.

I think every Barca fan will be looking at madrid with envious eyes. Best sidesnow. Best young players coming through, best managers in the game and the best style of football to go with it. It could be back to being in Real's shadow for a long time for Barca, especially considering the debt and a potential transfer ban.

Atletico toyed with them? Wow, clearly you didn't watch that game. Atletico played brilliantly, and were rock solid at the back, but neither side was anywhere close to "toying" with the other. The game was tighter than a duck's a*se, just like all the games were between those two sides this season.

As for "never looked like getting there in La Liga"... they finished 3pts off Atletico - you honestly believe if they hadn't had all those injuries to defenders and Valdes near the end, or if Messi hadn't missed so many games, that they wouldn't have been 3pts better off come the end of the season? Don't be ridiculous.

Of course Barca fans will be jealous right now! But to write them off for years to come, when they've just rectified one of their biggest deficiencies by signing one of if not the best young goalkeeper in Europe, and will spend heavily this summer, before any POTENTIAL transfer ban is implemented... comes off as more than a little hasty, and perhaps somewhat wishful thinking.

 

[steken1]

Atletico toyed with them? Wow, clearly you didn't watch that game. Atletico played brilliantly, and were rock solid at the back, but neither side was anywhere close to "toying" with the other. The game was tighter than a duck's a*se, just like all the games were between those two sides this season.

As for "never looked like getting there in La Liga"... they finished 3pts off Atletico - you honestly believe if they hadn't had all those injuries to defenders and Valdes near the end, or if Messi hadn't missed so many games, that they wouldn't have been 3pts better off come the end of the season? Don't be ridiculous.

Of course Barca fans will be jealous right now! But to write them off for years to come, when they've just rectified one of their biggest deficiencies by signing one of if not the best young goalkeeper in Europe, and will spend heavily this summer, before any POTENTIAL transfer ban is implemented... comes off as more than a little hasty, and perhaps somewhat wishful thinking.

Wow, you don't think letting Barca have the ball and being completely comfortable defending is toying with them?? I do.

Every club gets injuries etc. Nobody's immune. That's why they've spent hundreds of millions on a squad. Messi like a lot of south american players will have peaked. He won't be scoring 100 goals a year again IMO.

They won't spend heavily either. They're skint and FFP will be a problem for them too. Unless they ship a few top players out which will weaken them. Then once the ban kicks in they're stuck.

Everything points to Madrid. I think yourself, and the glory hunting Barca fans, are wishful thinking. Everyone who knows, knows.

 

[BirkenheadBlue]

Wow, you don't think letting Barca have the ball and being completely comfortable defending is toying with them?? I do.

Every club gets injuries etc. Nobody's immune. That's why they've spent hundreds of millions on a squad. Messi like a lot of south american players will have peaked. He won't be scoring 100 goals a year again IMO.

They won't spend heavily either. They're skint and FFP will be a problem for them too. Unless they ship a few top players out which will weaken them. Then once the ban kicks in they're stuck.

Everything points to Madrid. I think yourself, and the glory hunting Barca fans, are wishful thinking. Everyone who knows, knows.

ok mate. we'll see i guess. For one thing i'll be slightly surprised if a ban actually happens at all in the end.

Messi will have peaked
Still averaged a goal a game in an injury hit season, but yeah, peaked... Literally heard it all now.

"Everyone who knows, knows"... if you really try, really reach for the stars, you can probably come off as a more arrogant, condescending muppet

I actually don't care much about what happens in Spain, was pretty pleased to see Atletico win I guess, but I'd much sooner Barca win it with half a team full of academy products than (Real) Madrid and their state funded spending!

 

[Brennan]

Implying that any team or city will dominate at the top of the game for years to come is silly. It was only a year ago that the Germans were going to dominate at the top level.