Everton deny Deulofeu has joined AC Milan on loan

Friday, 20 January, 2017 97comments  |  Jump to most recent
Jan Kruger/Getty Images
Gerard Deulofeu looked to have completed a loan move to the San Siro this evening but talks are still ongoing.

The Italian club went public with the announcement that they had agreed a loan deal for the Spaniard until the end of the season but the Blues are said to be furious and have denied that anything has been finalised.

Ronald Koeman had indicated yesterday that the 22-year-old would be allowed to leave Everton in search of game time this month and his preferred switch to Milan looked to have been confirmed this evening, only for everything to change shortly afterwards.

The reported terms of Deulofeu's move — a loan until the end of the season without either an option or obligation to buy — would seem to represent a compromise from Everton who will, according to a Sky Sports reporter, collect a £430,000 loan fee.

The Blues' hierarchy were believed to be seeking a clause in the deal whereby Milan would have an option to buy the player at a pre-agreed price but reports of a "dry loan" would suggest that this was not be part of the deal.

A £4.2m signing from Barcelona in 2015, Deulofeu has made just five starts in all competitions and his last Premier League action was more than six weeks ago in the 3-2 defeat at Watford.

He made a cameo off the bench in the FA Cup tie against Leicester earlier this month, weighing in with an assist for Romelu Lukaku, but was absent from the squad to face Manchester City last Sunday, presumably with his proposed move to AC Milan in mind.

Update Adriano Galliani was unable to shed much light on the Deulofeu situation when he spoke with reporters on Saturday except to say:

"I am authorised to say that the negotiations for Deulofeu are continuing. Are we feeling confident? The only thing I can say is that the negotiations continue."

 

Reader Comments (97)

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Colin Glassar
1 Posted 20/01/2017 at 18:46:41
Hope he does well and returns.
Jay Wood
2 Posted 20/01/2017 at 18:47:31
Bugger! Gerard would get a lot more playing time in my team.

Hope he dazzles and comes back a better player – for Everton.

Trevor Lynes
3 Posted 20/01/2017 at 18:48:56
We are falling into the same trap as when we allowed Naismith to leave without a replacement. We ended up with Niasse who was a waste of money. Now we are short out wide as only Mirallas is of decent quality. Lookman cannot be counted at this stage.We have signed one proven Premier League player and now loaned out two who we use when required, ie; Cleverley and Deulofeu. Bolasie is out of the equation and Gueye is away in the African cup.At present, all the talk is of us allowing players to leave. Jagielka is another and McCarthy is unsettled according to reports. I think allowing these players to leave for any reason is foolhardy when we do not have sufficient cover.

I just hope (and pray) that Koeman has players ready to sign of sufficient quality to improve the squad.

Dennis Heaton
4 Posted 20/01/2017 at 18:48:59
Nice to watch but not consistent enough, not enough stamina and been a let down now at 3 different clubs.
Alexander Murphy
5 Posted 20/01/2017 at 19:02:11
I do not like this.

He can be a fancy Dan, but he can also have tremendous impact.

Wish he wasn't heading out of the door at all.

Charlie Lloyd
6 Posted 20/01/2017 at 19:04:08
Dennis @ 4

Sadly I agree. Wish him the best and there's still hope he may realise the potential and it's only a loan.

Kenny Smith
7 Posted 20/01/2017 at 19:07:54
Can't help but think this is short sighted. I'd rather have seen him play instead of Barkley this season. We could have got considerably more with a permanent deal for Barkley who has had plenty of chances to shine unlike Gerry.

Maybe there's something we don't know about this situation but I wish him the best of luck and hope this doesn't come back to haunt us.
Phil Gregory
8 Posted 20/01/2017 at 19:08:46
Give youth a chance!
Drew Shortis
9 Posted 20/01/2017 at 19:12:24
I'm a big fan of Deulofeu's attacking drive, but then again I was also a big fan of Royston Drenthe. I can totally understand that Koeman may not see him fitting into the system he wants to play.

That's not to say Gerard isn't going to be a top player, he clearly has a lot of talent and pace to burn, but if he lacks the stamina and tactical discipline all he can realistically expect is impact sub appearances every other game and that's not good for his career and not good for our investment.

I hope he really shines in Italy and either comes back a more complete player or at the least boosts his price tag, though how that all works out with Barcelona is anyone's guess.

AC Milan are a huge club (I remember the days of Rijkaard, Gullit and Van Basten on Football Italia) and will raise his profile in the game. Balotelli's move to France seems to have got his career back on track, perhaps Gerry's move to Italy will do the same for him.

Colin Glassar
10 Posted 20/01/2017 at 19:24:08
Drew, he wouldn't be the first vastly talented youngster who doesn't make the grade. Janusaj, Ravel Morrison, Cadamateri, Jeffers, David Bentley etc all started brightly only to fade into obscurity.
Ciarán McGlone
11 Posted 20/01/2017 at 19:27:38
Spoke out against Koeman's use of him and paid the price.

Can't rationalise this at all, other than the above. Had little or no time on the pitch.

Seemed to get the Everton vibe and was a flawed genius who needed a bit of attention.

Daft.

Peter Gorman
12 Posted 20/01/2017 at 19:35:43
Have you tried factoring in his ludicrous inconsistency and invariably 20 mins into a game he is blowing out his arse into your rationalisation Ciaran?

I've a lot of time for Deulofeu as he can be great to watch and is clearly a very nice lad but at some point Koeman needs to get more output.

Steve Hogan
13 Posted 20/01/2017 at 19:36:57
Disappointed to see him leave, certainly popular amongst the fan base. Seemed to 'get' Everton from the start, and was always the first available for local charities, photo shoots etc, not all young players have this attitude.

Koeman seemed to make his mind up very quickly about Deulofeu, almost from the start of the season.

I watched him away in the cup at Boro last season, and he tormented their defence all night, and then scored a wonderful solo goal.

Sadly, as with a lot of out-and-out wingers, it just didn't happen enough times.

I can't quite understand though why he was almost banished from the match day squad in the last couple of months, yet Lennon was tried on a number of occasions?

Over to you, Ronald.

David Barks
14 Posted 20/01/2017 at 19:41:02
Hope he does well. It can only help us if he does so.
Bill Gienapp
15 Posted 20/01/2017 at 19:46:16
At least it's just a loan move, so there's still hope of him salvaging his Everton career. I just fear he has a mountain to scale to factor back into Koeman's plans.
Chris Leyland
16 Posted 20/01/2017 at 19:46:40
Ciaran – you should be glad as there is no permanent fee to join at the end of the deal. So, we can get that £50m he is apparently going to worth from the host of clubs who will be queuing for him.
Mike Powell
17 Posted 20/01/2017 at 19:47:55
Jay, I'm glad you're not our manager. Geri was nowhere good enough for Everton. Alright, he might do something good once every couple of months... nine times out off ten, he was poor.
Anthony Hawkins
18 Posted 20/01/2017 at 19:49:33
I'm gutted about this. I hope Geri goes, does well and comes back wanting to prove himself.
Chris Leyland
19 Posted 20/01/2017 at 19:52:36
This glorification of Geri is getting ridiculous. The lad seems only to be able to last for 30 minutes before being knackered. Then again, it must be tiring hurling yourself to the floor theatrically whenever anyone tackles you?

Or maybe it is the 7 or 8 step-overs he does before occasionally crossing the ball which must require the stamina of being in a Michael Flatley show?

Joe Digney
20 Posted 20/01/2017 at 19:52:50
It would've been good to keep him as a squad player until the summer at least surely. I suppose Koeman knows best...

Now Ronald, go and grab Traore from Boro.

Ciarán McGlone
22 Posted 20/01/2017 at 19:55:49
Ludicrous inconsistency?

I would've thought to be labelled inconsistent you'd require a necessity to be actually playing.

Brian Williams
24 Posted 20/01/2017 at 19:59:58
Chris (#19).

Hear, hear!!!

Jay Wood
25 Posted 20/01/2017 at 20:02:07
Chris @ (various) and Brian @ 24.

There! There!

Will Mabon
26 Posted 20/01/2017 at 20:05:45
I'm not happy at all with this. I don't like the the thought that football is becoming so rationalized toward a stage where there will be just one type of player, The Universal Footballer.

It may move to where the whole squad is thus composed. No flair, no variation, no foibles, nothing "different". There was a period in the '70s where players like Duncan McKenzie, Frank Worthington, Stan Bowles and others, were coming under pressure as "luxury" or expensive to the team ethic. It stunk back then.

I'll console myself with the possibility that Gerard himself wants out for regular football. I simply cannot accept that he is of no use to this club, even if to allow tactical and team shape variation, depending on opposition, at times as a sub and so on... if he'd accept that.

Kim Vivian
27 Posted 20/01/2017 at 20:06:46
I'm with Colin (#1). Could gain some good experience in Italy. I hope he does well enough that EFC actually want him back.
Kevin Rowlands
28 Posted 20/01/2017 at 20:06:50
Why do I keep reading we haven't brought in a replacement? Didn't we just pay £11 mill for Lookman who, last time I checked, is a winger.
Will Mabon
29 Posted 20/01/2017 at 20:08:22
"And if ludicrous inconsistency is indeed the merit test being applied then bye bye Ross."

Ross has played great lately. However, I still get the feeling if Koeman sees him having so much as an extra biscuit in the canteen, he'll be down the road too.

Ian Bennett
30 Posted 20/01/2017 at 20:09:57
Sky are saying Everton have agreed to nothing.

Let's be honest £400k gets you an unproven lad that won't make it out of the U23s, so a meaningless amount – a couple of months of Gibson's wages I just can't see Milan stumping up £15.5m in the summer either.

Danny Broderick
31 Posted 20/01/2017 at 20:10:20
A great option off the bench if nothing else. Having watched him at MK Dons pre-season, where he played up front, I always thought his best position might be playing off Lukaku. In that position, he wouldn't have to run back, which he obviously needs to do if he is playing on the wing.

In any case, I'll be interested to see how he gets on at AC Milan. If he fails there, it will probably confirm that he will not fulfil his potential. If he does well, though, it will only reinforce my view that he is a useful player.

David Chait
32 Posted 20/01/2017 at 20:18:33
He really seemed to be on Koemans radar start of the season. Played a lot of preseason and start of season.. don't approve of him leaving. He always does better and better the more he plays.

To be fair the fact that there is no option might work for us! I can still hope!

Denis Richardson
33 Posted 20/01/2017 at 20:19:29
He won't be missed; he contributed very little this season and since his move from Sevilla. Shame as he's certainly got talent but something missing. Hopefully he gets some games under his belt at Milan and does well so they (or someone else) is willing to buy him, he doesn't seem to have what it takes for the Premier League.

Cleverley, Niasse, Deulofeu out so far. Hopefully a few more gone before the window slams shut. Gibson, Lennon, Kone and Jagielka spring to mind – assuming we bring in a couple more as well. Koeman wielding the axe well so far.

I still cannot figure out the Gibson extension. I wonder who's getting some of his wages via the back door.

Andy Walker
34 Posted 20/01/2017 at 20:25:55
Good, another of Martinez's failures being offloaded. Have you noticed?
Lev Vellene
35 Posted 20/01/2017 at 20:27:36
It's not as if Koeman is kicking him out of the team, after all. He didn't fit Koeman's current plan, so a loan deal with Deulofeu coming back in the summer sounds very good to me! The Mark II version, though...

Now for my personal grievances about Deulofeu: Just one, really, he was usually running/thinking too fast to get the ball to come along when he started with it at his feet!

Unfortunately, that is half of what I'll remember him for; running into the right place, leaving the ball behind...

Brian Williams
36 Posted 20/01/2017 at 20:29:13
Denis (#33).

Gibson's extension makes good sense, it was a contract as a cleaner at USM Finch Farm!

Keith Monaghan
37 Posted 20/01/2017 at 20:29:21
Reality is that Deulofeu leaving has no impact on the strength of the squad. When he's played in the last year or more, he's been more of a danger to us than the opposition. I just hope we get our money back for him at some stage.

Yes, he's talented, but he's lazy, mentally weak, appears to be unfit and is not a team player. I'm not a great fan of the less abled Lennon, but he generally does try to contribute.

Oliver Molloy
38 Posted 20/01/2017 at 20:33:47
If true, that Milan have announced this and talks are still on going, then Everton should tell them to feck off.
Colin Glassar
39 Posted 20/01/2017 at 20:39:29
Spot on, Will (#26). The age of the talented maverick seems to be coming to an end. Now it's more about build, speed, height, core strength, athletic ability etc Natural talent is no longer a prerequisite so I don't know why we just don't go for Usain Bolt.
Colin Glassar
40 Posted 20/01/2017 at 20:44:58
Oliver, Milan have no money, are being taken over and don't want to buy him outright. I hope we tell them to do one and he stays or goes to Middlesbrough on loan. Karanka will help develop him.
Mike Powell
41 Posted 20/01/2017 at 20:49:44
Here we go... we're talking about Deulofeu and someone has got to have a dig at Ross... unbelievable. Ross as been excellent lately and Deulofeu is a one-trick pony: if he is not on his arse, he is giving the ball away. What do people see in him? We need to get shut off him; he's not good enough for us.
Albert Perkins
42 Posted 20/01/2017 at 20:50:27
Latest reports say deal not done.
Brian Williams
45 Posted 20/01/2017 at 20:55:47
Colin (#40).

I don't think he wants to go to Middlesbrough!!

Gordon Roberts
46 Posted 20/01/2017 at 20:56:33
Is Berlusconi still involved with AC Milan?
Trev Patterson
47 Posted 20/01/2017 at 20:59:12
At the end of the day, Geri may be a canny lad but football is about results. If performances aren't up to scratch – and this goes to any Everton player – we have to find replacements who can put in a shift and produce the goods.

If we languish in mid-table season after season as a result of keeping players who have good personalities, then for me that's not good enough. AMBITION, COYB!!
Lee Courtliff
48 Posted 20/01/2017 at 21:00:21
Surely with someone as obviously talented as Geri the manager should be actually coaching him into a better player?

We've got players like Kone, Gibson and Lennon who have barely contributed anything still with us and we've let go a player who we all know can create a goal out of nothing!

How many assists did he get last season... that through-ball for Rom at West Ham was sublime!

Yes, he's obviously got stamina issues, he's the typical 'inconsistent winger', etc. He's also very talented and appears to be quite a decent young lad who always makes himself available for school visits, interviews, etc. His attitude can't be THAT bad?

We're paying Koeman top dollar...he should be providing top dollar coaching! Geri has far too much potential to just write him off after 5 starts.

I m absolutely gutted about this transfer... I was reared on Limpar and Kanchelskis so I've always been incredibly biased towards wingers. I also acknowledge Koeman knows far more than me.

Colin Glassar
49 Posted 20/01/2017 at 21:08:00
Why on earth not Brian? I'm sure it's on a level with Milan. Milan doesn't have an Asda or a Tesco super store does it?
Brian Williams
50 Posted 20/01/2017 at 21:14:19
Err don't think it does Colin, or the smog, or the Smoggies.
Lad wants his head reading!
Stan Schofield
51 Posted 20/01/2017 at 21:19:40
Lee, must admit, I also feel gutted. To me, someone who's so naturally good with a football should be coached in the right direction. I would have thought that was the basic skill of a good coach. Any coach who can't do that, well, I'm asking myself, how is a £6M/year salary justified?

What also gets me about this: Not so long ago, a fair few people were calling for Barkley and Mirallas to be shipped out. Again, exceptionally able footballers. Now, it's apparently Geri who should be shipped out.

Maybe I'm missing something here, but unless Geri actively doesn't want to play for Everton, what the hell are we doing even thinking about getting rid of him? Surely he's too good? If there's an attitude problem with him, is it beyond the wit of a £6M/year manager to sort this out?

Lori Fekete
52 Posted 20/01/2017 at 21:23:12
I always got the impression, every time he came on late, he'd be trying too hard to impress and end up making the wrong decision. I would have loved him to have a good run of games, especially behind Rom.

Judging him on a few cameos is a bit harsh, but he's obviously not doing the roles the manager wants. Talented wingers that are consistent are as rare as hen's teeth.

He's one of my favourite players to watch; I'm gutted it's just not happening for him here. We'd best have a decent replacement lined up.
Brian Williams
53 Posted 20/01/2017 at 21:26:23
Stan. Our best results of the season so far? Annihilation of City last week, seeing off Arsenal after coming from behind. What part did Geri play in those games? How much was he missed in those games?

Soton at home 3-0... I'm sure there's more. The stats don't add up for him being the star some are making him out to be!!!

Kevin Jones
54 Posted 20/01/2017 at 21:32:02
Flattered to deceive
So it's time for him to leave
If he get himself on track
Then we'll welcome him straight back
If he performs at the San Siro
Then we'll bring him back a hero

I'll get my coat, hat, scarf and gloves

Mike Allen
55 Posted 20/01/2017 at 21:33:51
The lad has been living off one or two passes and several step-overs for long enough now. He's had every chance, more than most, to prove himself. He should have gone into the academy first off.
Stan Schofield
56 Posted 20/01/2017 at 21:40:28
Brian, you're right about those games. But think of Mirallas. He's made a significant contribution because of his skill. Not long ago, some were saying he's finished here. Such premature statements. What if he'd been injured? Who could have provided comparable skill?

It just seems to me it's always walking on thin ice when you get rid of players like that. You lose something. It's usually something that differentiates a skilled side from a side of carthorses.

Patrick Murphy
57 Posted 20/01/2017 at 21:47:06
I'm sure he's a lovely lad and is very generous with his time and does all of the other things away from football that many players don't do with a smile. However, I want him to do all his good stuff out on the pitch, that's what he's paid to do and unfortunately he doesn't always play as if he's part of a team.

He's not alone in that but when a player can't be relied upon to give a decent performance, week-in & week-out, he's bound to come under scrutiny from the manager and staff, particularly when the team fail to win games.

Compare the comments that the manager and others have made about young Davies, eager to listen, willing to take on board their advice and then put all of it into practice out on the pitch and then ask yourself why Deulofeu often seems to drift out of games or fails to deliver regularly enough.

He is doubtless very talented but appears workshy and 'happy go lucky' in his approach. He doesn't have to become a work-horse, he just has to realise that he would be more effective if he was willing to get himself fit enough to last more than 20 minutes and that the other players in the team sometimes need his help in certain situations.

Mike Gaynes
58 Posted 20/01/2017 at 21:49:46
Stay, Kevin. If there's one thing TW needs, it's a poet laureate.

There was a young winger from Barca
Whose play was part genius, part farce-a
Now he's been benched by Ron
And he prefers Milan
'Cause they won't leave him sat on his arse-a

Mike Gaynes
59 Posted 20/01/2017 at 21:50:33
Hold the door for me, Kev... right behind you.
Brian Williams
60 Posted 20/01/2017 at 21:52:23
Stan (#56). Difference IMHO with Mirallas though is that he's listened, and greatly increased his workrate, pressing, helping out when the opposition has the ball. The team as a whole has benefited from that, not just his skill.

It appears Geri hasn't listened.

Joseph Terrence
61 Posted 20/01/2017 at 21:54:07
I would think that this, coupled with Koeman's comments stating he is looking at defenders, means we will be sticking with 3 at the back for the rest of the year and Baines + Coleman will be the ones to provide width.
Brian Williams
62 Posted 20/01/2017 at 21:55:23
There was a young Spaniard called Geri,
Some said he was good, some said very.
With stepovers galore, but a failure to score,
Honest Ron said "Fuck off, Geri!"
Ian Bennett
63 Posted 20/01/2017 at 21:59:02
Mirallas is a regular goal scorer, other wide men on the books just aren't. That's why he's always in my team despite the fallouts.

Hope he bangs in a few more.

Stan Schofield
64 Posted 20/01/2017 at 21:59:22
Brian, true, he has listened, but it's taken a while. During the interim, he's been inconsistent, and folks have said get rid, he's finished, he's not capable of adapting to Koeman's pressing style.

Similar with Barkley. But Geri hasn't been given that game time, he hasn't been persevered with, and that's what I find troubling.

Dick Fearon
65 Posted 20/01/2017 at 22:01:07
The picture heading this article sums up what I consider to be his basic fault. Full concentration over the ball not aware enough of team mates positions.

A few more well placed crosses would be an improvement. I still reckon he has what it takes but would like him to lift his head a bit more.

Brian Williams
66 Posted 20/01/2017 at 22:01:50
Okay, Stan, I understand that. Perhaps there's stuff we're not privvy to?
Oliver Molloy
67 Posted 20/01/2017 at 22:02:16
I think the penny has dropped with the likes of Barkley and Mirallas that this manager is not going to mess about; certainly in terms of effort on the pitch Koeman seems like he's not up for carrying passengers no matter what name is on the back of the shirt.

Deulofeu simply doesn't like the physical side of the game and his constant moaning and throwing himself to the ground probably made Koeman's mind up that he would not be in his first 11.

Some say he needs a run of games; I don't know if Deulofeu would be able to guarantee himself a first team place even if he was allowed games to convince the manager. He obviously can be dangerous and very tricky but is just too inconsistent. I trust Koeman!

Regards Kone and Gibson, I know for a fact that the latter is looking out but only if there is a decent contract on offer. Leeds, I believe, have asked about Gibson, but can't or don't want to pay his £40k/wk wages.

Stan Schofield
68 Posted 20/01/2017 at 22:08:19
Oliver, I suppose £40k/week is a lot for sick pay.
Mike Berry
69 Posted 20/01/2017 at 22:16:36
The fact that no club from Spain has come in for him makes me wonder why.... doesn't it with everyone else?

If Ronald doesn't want him, then he has his reasons; ship him out and let's move on with a rebuild.

Stan Schofield
70 Posted 20/01/2017 at 22:19:05
Brian, good poetry mate. Putting Geri to one side, at least we haven't scored any own goals so far this season (apart from one from Stekelenburg I think):

There was a man from Tyreme
Who invented a football machine
On the 31st stroke
The fucking thing broke
And scored against his own team

Oliver Molloy
71 Posted 20/01/2017 at 22:21:06
It certainly is, Stan, Gibson would take less but only if he gets at least a 2-year contract.

I would be very surprised if there is a club in the Championship that would take a chance on offering him a contract over two years with his injury record.

I know there are all types of scenarios with contracts but we could be stuck with him!

Alexander Murphy
72 Posted 20/01/2017 at 22:24:51
Lee your post number 48, the bit about Kanchelskis an Limpar, mate you would have loved Dave Thomas.

That feller scored in-offs from Bobby Latchford. I think it was Bob that said that. Bobby Latchford walked on water.

Gordon Roberts
73 Posted 20/01/2017 at 22:33:48
Mike Berry (#69),

Spot on. His former manager at Barca didn't want him, and he didn't excel during his loan spell at Sevilla when he left us after his first stint. Move on.

Alexander Murphy
74 Posted 20/01/2017 at 22:33:55
Oliver (#67), I sincerely hope that the penny has dropped not only with Barkley and Mirallas (I do think you might be right) but also with the whole dressing room.

Because the "being pretty good" mentality needs to be permanently replaced with a winning mentality and furnace-like hunger for success.

Danny Broderick
75 Posted 20/01/2017 at 22:39:25
On another thread, Lyndon said Geri was captain of the Spanish Under-21s for a while. This tells me that any suggestion of an attitude problem is wide of the mark. No-one has ever said a bad word about him. Some players are just not cut out to play certain styles of football.

It's true that Barkley and Mirallas seem to have knuckled down and are putting themselves about more. Maybe Geri is just not capable of playing that way, and that's why Koeman is happy to let him go. You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink.
Alexander Murphy
76 Posted 20/01/2017 at 22:43:45
Gordon 73, but Barca did insist on some buyback clause, so they must reckon that there is some top player in there somewhere. A player that they seem to want when the missing piece is installed.
Robin Cannon
77 Posted 20/01/2017 at 22:51:00
@Alexander (76) - Sure, but isn't that just them playing it safe.

"We think he's got potential, he's not fulfilling it, let's sell him...but give ourselves an option to buy back if he does happen to progress as a player."

That doesn't mean that they were in any way sure he would make it, just that he had the potential to. And lots of players with potential just don't quite make the grade. To date, that seems to be the case with him.

Gordon Roberts
78 Posted 20/01/2017 at 22:55:31
Alexander (#76). Possibly. But either Louis Enrique or the Sevilla coach was critical of Geri's attitude. Time to move on in my opinion, but fully understand if others have a different view. The world would be a strange place if we all held the same opinions and beliefs
Oliver Molloy
79 Posted 20/01/2017 at 22:57:52
Alexander, I think if Barcelona really rated Deulofeu, they would never have let him go, and the buy-back clause is just to protect them – similar to a sell-on clause maybe.

The reason we still have Gibson is us trying to protect ourselves and get a few bob!

Brian Hennessy
80 Posted 20/01/2017 at 23:14:42
No Oliver, the reason we still have Gibson is that he has two legs made out of the same stuff as those baubles that break into a million pieces when they fall from the Christmas tree, even onto thick shaggy pile carpet.
Roger Helm
81 Posted 20/01/2017 at 23:32:27
It would seem to be a good move for everyone. Geri is talented and can produce something good now and then but it is seems Koeman is trying to build a more physical, high tempo team, like Spurs and Liverpool, and Geri doesn't have the stamina and strength for that, or the desire for the physical battle.

I hope he does well in Italy. Perhaps Continental football will be a better fit for his skill set.

Alexander Murphy
82 Posted 20/01/2017 at 23:54:11
I find it incredible that Deulofeu may be loaned or sold, yet Gibson has been retained, on extended terms.

Albert Einstein couldn't define this logic to me any more convincingly than the Krankies.

Len Hawkins
83 Posted 20/01/2017 at 23:54:21
His Emphysema would be better in a warm climate like Italy than Middlesborough, also the Mediterranean diet would suit him better than Steak pudding chips peas and gravy.
Oliver Molloy
84 Posted 20/01/2017 at 00:07:24
It looks like it was a mistake in giving him a contract, Brian.
Brian Hennessy
86 Posted 21/01/2017 at 00:46:32
Yep looks like it, Oliver. The pity is that Gibson is incredibly talented and was one of our best players for that one season he stayed mostly injury free.
Phil Jeffries
87 Posted 21/01/2017 at 03:00:36
Koeman has a vision and if you aren't part of it or won't adapt to fit, you are off. Isn't this exactly what we wanted?

I love Geri, but he does give the ball away a lot and loves a whinge to the ref rather than getting up and trying to win the ball back.

Mirallas on the other hand seems to have picked up the challenge and run with it. Barkley too.

Darryl Ritchie
88 Posted 21/01/2017 at 03:05:13
Deulofeu's role has been as an impact sub. I can understand that he wants to start, but his defensive issues have lessened his value in Koeman's eyes.

I like his flair, but he's probably history.

Will Mabon
89 Posted 21/01/2017 at 03:49:12
Oh – so it's not on for certain now?

Well, this is Everton, it's the transfer window, and we haven't had a soap opera/saga yet...

William Cartwright
93 Posted 21/01/2017 at 07:02:58
Geri sums up the frailty of Everton FC. Can you imagine him running out of defense (no), with the ball glued to his feet (yes), slipping in between 2 -3 defenders (yes), pushing forward at speed (yes), laying a lovely through ball to a team mate in a good position (yes), getting knocked over by a big defender (yes),, getting up and running forward into space to collect the return ball (no).

That is why he is not Koeman's flavor of the month. Instill Tom Davies's attitude into Geri's skill set and he would be a world beater.

Mike Mulhall
94 Posted 21/01/2017 at 07:10:49
The amount of Martinez signings that have been awful is alarming. Gerri isn't awful but his time here had been underwhelming and a flop. I wonder how much, including his compensation payment, Martinez actually has cost the club!
Hugh Jenkins
96 Posted 21/01/2017 at 10:19:33
It strikes me that given his age, he is still part of the "development squad". Like the Under-23s, he wants regular first team football, so he is being sent out on loan, to help him develop his game.

He is not being sold, there is no guaranteed buy out fee involved at the end of the loan – not even an option to purchase.

So, when it is all summed up, it is a loan to help him develop, before he returns to Everton at the end of the season.

Why all the histrionics?

If he comes back a better, more consistent and stronger player – great.

If not, we will need to look at the options then.

Eddie Dunn
97 Posted 21/01/2017 at 10:47:10
There was a young prospect from Barca
Whose skills were so good on the park -"Ah"!
His Rabonas and nutmegs
Just flowed from his legs
But his fitness was worse than old car parts

Now his new coach asked him to get fitter
So our Geri drank two pints of bitter
He then tried to press
While in his Mum's dress
And if anything he just played shitter

Lee Courtliff
98 Posted 21/01/2017 at 10:47:55
Alexander, I've only read and seen bits about Dave Thomas. I think I remember Joe Royle speaking very highly of him when he was our manager. He's a bit before my time, I'm a fan of the 1990s.

I'm hoping if the deal does go through then it's just a loan and Geri will return in the summer.

Ian Jones
99 Posted 21/01/2017 at 10:49:50
William @ 93,

That sums up the situation!

Brian Harrison
100 Posted 21/01/2017 at 10:58:54
I read yesterday that the proposed deal was £500,000 as a loan fee and an agreed price of £16.4 million at the end of the season.

The only problem to that is Barcelona still have a buy back clause for £12.4 million at the end of this season. So maybe there will have to be talks between Everton and Barcelona before the deal can be finalized.

Alexander Murphy
101 Posted 21/01/2017 at 11:04:56
Well this is something that doesn' t happen often, but I realise that some of the points made by people with opposing views to mine are persuading me to look at things differently. So thanks.

There are quite a few, but a prime example being Phil Jefferies opening paragraph in posting 87.

I've said similar elsewhere and yet here I am attempting to delay progress. Assuming that Koeman's plan does come to bear fruit at some point. So maybe we all just need to accept that in combat there will be casualties.

As an aside. Please let us not crown Tom Davies king just yet. We know only too well what happens when we do that. He had a great game last week so let's enjoy it for that.

Frank Crewe
102 Posted 21/01/2017 at 12:23:04
Geri is a good example of what happens when you spend a lot of your early career on loan.

Barca loaned him to us and he looked pretty good. Even scored some good goals, especially the one against Arsenal. Then he went back to Barca and was loaned out again. Now he's back with us and after a pretty indifferent spell we are loaning him out. See a pattern here?

Then there is Lookman. Only 19 but has been in the Charlton 1st team for a while. Up against bigger, stronger players he has developed his game in the heat of 1st team battle and it has paid off. We bought him for £10 million quid and he scored on his debut.

Now I have said this many times on these pages. Young players should start their careers at smaller clubs with less cash and smaller squads. If they are any good they will get plenty of 1st team action and a proper chance to show what they can do. If they have what it takes the big clubs will come to them. As happened with Stones, Holgate, and now Lookman.

Young players at big clubs are in an uphill battle against the clubs bigger squads and their ability to buy more players. Lookman and Holgate have already jumped ahead of most of the young players Everton already have simply because they had more 1st team experience at their previous clubs and haven't played their early football solely against other young players in the same boat at other clubs.

I doubt loaning Geri out will make him any better at all. It obviously didn't for Barca so I don't see why it should for us and I seriously doubt AC Milan will pay £16 million for him come the summer. Would any of you?

Geri needs to be loaned to a lower division club where he will get games in the 1st team. Roughing it for a bit won't do him any harm and could do him a lot of good. If he goes to AC Milan the same thing will happen again. He'll be just another youngster in a big squad up against senior pros. his chances will be limited and he'll be back at Everton in the summer right back at square one.

Ian Jones
103 Posted 21/01/2017 at 12:56:25
Frank, agree with you about the loan system. It may work for some. Harry Kane springs to mind but for every player that benefits there will be many more who find it difficult to settle as a loanee at another club. It's also may be that some players need a sense of belonging. I am all for younger players starting out at clubs at lower levels and then getting picked up by the bigger clubs.
Laynald Hansen
105 Posted 22/01/2017 at 10:59:43
Koeman is ice cold to cut the squad down to bare bones like this, he seems to like Lennon better than Deulofeu, which in my mind is nuts. Why send him away on loan and gamble we will not need him again this season?

With Nathan Holland going to West-Ham, I am beginning to see cracks in the facade here with this faulty transfer policy. Give Deulofeu the same chance as Barkley and then we can talk about loaning him out.

By the way, does Koeman know Bolasie is out for a year? Sending out Niasse before he has even given him a chance up top like he did with Valencia.

Colin Glassar
106 Posted 22/01/2017 at 18:22:45
I read somewhere today that it's Everton who are insisting on NOT having a right to buy clause in this loan deal. Hopefully Del will be back fitter and stronger next season.

What's all this about us getting Ivanovic from Chelsea? He'd be decent cover for Holgate I suppose.

Brent Stephens
107 Posted 22/01/2017 at 18:39:56
Alexander #101 "Please let us not crown Tom Davies king just yet. We know only too well what happens when we do that. He had a great game last week so let's enjoy it for that".

My thoughts over the last week as well. Love the lad's performances to date. I just don't want him to be bigged up only to see him fall.


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