Former Everton player reveals his “suffering” at Goodison Park

Over the past few years of Everton football, it feels safe to say that Gerard Deulofeu has been one of the most mercurial and polarizing players that have come through the doors of Finch Farm.

The Spaniard was either deeply loved or deeply hated, and there seemed to be little in between. When he was on his game, “Geri” was nearly unplayable. Problem is, Deulofeu had an incredible tendency to drift in and out of games, and rarely contributed defensively.

While he occasionally flourished under Martinez, Deulofeu found the sledding tough under Ronald Koeman, and has spoken out on the matter.

Milan gave me everything. I went there from England, where I was suffering, and with Milan, I saw the light again.

[Sport Witness]

Geri’s time at Everton wasn’t contentious enough to where we don’t wish him all the best for his career, but it seems fair to say that many of the issues that saw his departure to AC Milan and eventually Barcelona were of his own doing.

As a general rule, Everton Football Club and its fans require a full commitment, no matter your position or salary - and Deulofeu couldn’t ever quite find his level at Goodison Park.

Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images

Now stuck behind the likes of Ousmane Dembele and Lionel Messi at Barcelona, Geri has 2 goals in 715 minutes of game time at the Camp Nou. The Blues need wingers, but with the ascendancy of Nikola Vlasic, pending return of Yannick Bolasie, and the torrid form of Aaron Lennon, it’s unlikely that Toffees around the world will be missing the strains of “he’s magic, you know” anytime soon.