Where will Gerard Deulofeu be plying his trade next season?

Spanish winger Gerard Deulofeu’s future is unclear after a loan spell at AC Milan from Everton

I have to admit when Everton first signed Spanish winger Gerard Deulofeu on loan I was very excited.

Having seen him play for the Barcelona B side on a couple of occasions he looked like he could be the next big superstar off the La Masia conveyor belt.

However, his career has slightly nosedived since his initial switch to Merseyside. A loan spell at Sevilla and a permanent move to Everton have not quite worked out for the popular Spaniard.

The 23-year-old was loaned out to Italian side AC Milan in January and he has experienced a decent spell in Serie A.

For Deulofeu, though, it seems to be a familiar story of impressing in spurts but struggling to have an impact on a consistent basis.

Talented but question marks over his attitude

Gerard Deulofeu definitely has talent. Most people that have watched him play would say he is technically gifted, but there has been a question mark over his attitude since his days in the Barcelona youth ranks.

Everybody that has worked with Deulofeu seems to say he is talented but, and then talk about there being something missing with the winger. That is not great for any player and Deulofeu should undoubtedly have played more games in his professional career than he has.

At Everton, he struggled to complete 90 minutes. In fact, the winger seemed to lack fitness throughout his stay on Merseyside. He was often restricted to cameo appearances, especially before his move to Italy.

No future at Everton

Most Evertonian’s were excited by the Gerard Deulofeu’s arrival on Merseyside, on both occasions that he has joined the Blues. He has produced some very good moments, but those moments have too often been fleeting.

The winger was once a fans favourite at Goodison Park because he had the ability to excite. However, due to a number of lacklustre performances, the majority of Evertonian’s would probably now not mind seeing the winger heading for pastures new this summer.

It does not seem like Deulofeu has a future at Everton. Dutch boss Ronald Koeman expects his players to work hard for the team. One of the winger’s biggest weaknesses is his tracking back to help out his defence, even if he is seen as an attacking player.

Koeman obviously saw this flaw in the Spaniard’s game and realised he was not going to be able accommodate Deulofeu in his team. Reports from Spain suggest that Koeman has already decided that the former Barcelona star is not in his future plans on Merseyside.

The Dutch boss is a guy who seems to know exactly what he wants from a player. He is also ambitious, with the Toffees hoping to challenge for a top-four place next season, something that they are odds of 9/1. From the outside looking in it seems the Dutchman is not a big fan of Deulofeu.

Deulofeu’s future is now unclear

Asked about his future the player himself told the press he is just concentrating on playing for Spain for now. The winger is in the Spain squad to face Colombia in a friendly and then Macedonia in a World Cup qualifier at the weekend

Reports from Spain suggest that Barcelona are set to trigger a buy-back clause in Deulofeu’s contract that would mean the Catalan giants can purchase the winger for 12million Euros this summer.

Barcelona would then not be able to sell Deulofeu for 12 months if Everton decides not to take up first refusal on the Spanish international. If Everton decide not to sign Deulofeu and he is sold the Toffees would get a sell-on fee. It is unclear whether AC Milan will be looking to sign Deulofeu permanently this summer.

It seems unlikely that Deulofeu has a future at either Everton or Barcelona, so his next move really is a mystery at the moment.

The Spanish international does have tremendous technical ability, but as the mental side of his game is not as strong, then that technical ability may lead to a career of only fleeting moments of brilliance from the Spaniard.

Where will Gerard Deulofeu be plying his trade next season?