Arteta2391
Player Valuation: £30m
Looks 20% more manly with that beard
Gotta love his baby face
Gotta love his baby face
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Doolstar70
Player Valuation: £1m
Cat understand why he hasn't been getting a chance. Criminaly poor man management.
kithnou
Player Valuation: £70m
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/spor...ws/its-time-evertons-gerard-deulofeu-11081326
Why it's time for Everton's Gerard Deulofeu to weave his unpredictable magic again
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MARCH 5: Gerard Deulofeu of Everton arrives before the Barclays Premier League match between Everton and West Ham United at Goodison Park on March 05, 2016 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Tony McArdle/Everton FC via Getty Images)
The last few weeks have been tough for Roberto Martinez, there's no doubt.
Fans, pundits and journalists alike have been questioning the Spaniard's methods; withEverton stuck in a consistently inconsistent run of form for almost two full seasons now.
A lot has been said about the Blues not having a plan B, being unwilling to change strategy midway through a game.
Now, you can't say that against Arsenal on Saturday, a necessary change was made, but it just wasn't enough to alter the result of the tie.
Dejected Everton players after the two-nil defeat
But, are the ready-made answers to Everton's “plan-B” problem already sat on the bench? One name in particular springs to mind.
Gerard Deulofeu.
The Blues have become somewhat predictable over the past few weeks; luckily though,Romelu Lukaku has been on fine form recently to push Everton towards whatever wins they have been able to muster.
Especially at Goodison, how often is the fixture fallen flat? How often this season have the fans sat disappointed, watching a slow brand of possession football?
Gerard Deulofeu poses with a young fan before the Arsenal game
When that happens, surely it's time for the Blues to call on the Spanish winger again.
On Saturday, supporters from the Gwladys Street could be heard chanting Deulofeu's name even before he came off the bench, fans want to see him on the pitch.
And, when they got their wish, for the 17 minutes he was on the pitch he looked promising. Not back to his best, but he was taking on full backs and at least getting crosses in to the box.
He offers skill, audacity, pace, a brilliant final ball and, what could be most important at the minute, unpredictability.
A few weeks ago, focus was (quite rightly) put on safety for Everton, trying to sure up the back four and increase our work rate all over the pitch.
And it worked, there was an improvement in results that the team were looking for, typified by a brilliant 3-0 win away to Stoke.
Everton v West Brom at Goodison Park. Gerard Deulofeu comes on for Aaron Lennon.
But, now, the general consensus is that we are perhaps a little too safe going forwards, always looking for the simple sideways pass, rather than the risky defence-splitting ball.
That all culminated in a truly lacklustre display against Arsenal who read every Everton move going forward, without even having to try.
Earlier in the campaign, you couldn't have imagined Deulofeu being out of our starting line-up for as long as he has been; his link-up play with Ross Barkley and Romelu Lukaku was sublime to watch at times.
His unpredictability was working wonders for the Blues, not least in fixtures such as the West Brom and Middlesbrough away games.
Maybe it's time for the winger to be given a chance to find his form again.
2016 Everton FC
Gerard Deulofeu
This isn't suggesting that Everton should abandon what they learned a few weeks ago; work-rate and defensive solidity are still paramount to the Blues' success on the pitch.
But, what's equally important is showing the flair and creativity up front that performances recently have been somewhat lacking, Everton are still desperately searching for that balance.
Yes, Deulofeu might not get back and defend as much as he should, yes there are players in the squad with better work-rates than him.
But surely anything is better than what the Blues served up on Saturday – it's worth a shot.
Why it's time for Everton's Gerard Deulofeu to weave his unpredictable magic again
- 13:00, 23 MAR 2016
- UPDATED 14:54, 23 MAR 2016
- BY ADAM JONES
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MARCH 5: Gerard Deulofeu of Everton arrives before the Barclays Premier League match between Everton and West Ham United at Goodison Park on March 05, 2016 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Tony McArdle/Everton FC via Getty Images)
The last few weeks have been tough for Roberto Martinez, there's no doubt.
Fans, pundits and journalists alike have been questioning the Spaniard's methods; withEverton stuck in a consistently inconsistent run of form for almost two full seasons now.
A lot has been said about the Blues not having a plan B, being unwilling to change strategy midway through a game.
Now, you can't say that against Arsenal on Saturday, a necessary change was made, but it just wasn't enough to alter the result of the tie.
Dejected Everton players after the two-nil defeat
But, are the ready-made answers to Everton's “plan-B” problem already sat on the bench? One name in particular springs to mind.
Gerard Deulofeu.
The Blues have become somewhat predictable over the past few weeks; luckily though,Romelu Lukaku has been on fine form recently to push Everton towards whatever wins they have been able to muster.
Especially at Goodison, how often is the fixture fallen flat? How often this season have the fans sat disappointed, watching a slow brand of possession football?
Gerard Deulofeu poses with a young fan before the Arsenal game
When that happens, surely it's time for the Blues to call on the Spanish winger again.
On Saturday, supporters from the Gwladys Street could be heard chanting Deulofeu's name even before he came off the bench, fans want to see him on the pitch.
And, when they got their wish, for the 17 minutes he was on the pitch he looked promising. Not back to his best, but he was taking on full backs and at least getting crosses in to the box.
He offers skill, audacity, pace, a brilliant final ball and, what could be most important at the minute, unpredictability.
A few weeks ago, focus was (quite rightly) put on safety for Everton, trying to sure up the back four and increase our work rate all over the pitch.
And it worked, there was an improvement in results that the team were looking for, typified by a brilliant 3-0 win away to Stoke.
Everton v West Brom at Goodison Park. Gerard Deulofeu comes on for Aaron Lennon.
But, now, the general consensus is that we are perhaps a little too safe going forwards, always looking for the simple sideways pass, rather than the risky defence-splitting ball.
That all culminated in a truly lacklustre display against Arsenal who read every Everton move going forward, without even having to try.
Earlier in the campaign, you couldn't have imagined Deulofeu being out of our starting line-up for as long as he has been; his link-up play with Ross Barkley and Romelu Lukaku was sublime to watch at times.
His unpredictability was working wonders for the Blues, not least in fixtures such as the West Brom and Middlesbrough away games.
Maybe it's time for the winger to be given a chance to find his form again.
2016 Everton FC
Gerard Deulofeu
This isn't suggesting that Everton should abandon what they learned a few weeks ago; work-rate and defensive solidity are still paramount to the Blues' success on the pitch.
But, what's equally important is showing the flair and creativity up front that performances recently have been somewhat lacking, Everton are still desperately searching for that balance.
Yes, Deulofeu might not get back and defend as much as he should, yes there are players in the squad with better work-rates than him.
But surely anything is better than what the Blues served up on Saturday – it's worth a shot.
Deulofeu is captaining the Spain U21s vs Croatia now in a qualifying match on ESPN3 for anyone with access to the channel.
Pfft, he's got magic in those boots, can actually find the goal as well unlike your favourite Bosnian
Pfft, he's got magic in those boots, can actually find the goal as well unlike your favourite Bosnian
WTF?????
Et Tu LL, ET TUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
Pfft, he's got magic in those boots, can actually find the goal as well unlike your favourite Bosnian
Oh wow...piped him right down.
I feel for Gerard like you do for Besic - I give you fair warning I'll respond to any attacks on him in kind
I feel for Gerard like you do for Besic - I give you fair warning I'll respond to any attacks on him in kind
His dogs proper gay!
lol
Not so sure I like his beard much either although beginning to look better now it is a bit thicker.
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