Deulofeu skippers Spain to U21s final

Lyndon Lloyd Tuesday, 27 June, 2017 31comments | Jump to most recent

Gerard Deulofeu and prospective Everton signing Sandro booked their place in the final of the U21 European Championships this evening with a comfortable 3-1 win over 10-man Italy.

Both forwards started the match that was lit up by a hat-trick from Saul Niguez. The midfielder struck first to put Spain ahead, only for the Italians to level shortly after Roberto Gagliardini had been sent off.

Federico Bernardeschi's equalizer was quickly wiped out by Saul who capped the win off with his third in the second half.

Spain will now meet England's conquerors, Germany, in the final.

Sandro, who has one goal in the tournament so far, has not yet had his move from Malaga to Everton ratified but there were suggestions in the media earlier today that confirmation of the deal could come within the next 24 hours.

Those have been followed, however, by a report on Spanish radio channel Onda Cero that Real Madrid have nipped in and signed him ahead of Everton having agreed terms with him.

Galacticos president Florentino Perez was quick to respond on another radio station, however, saying that any deal for Sandro agreed with Real was news to him.

Reader Comments (31)

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David Pearl
2 Posted 28/06/2017 at 00:53:35

There's no way Althletic would let him go... unfortunately. Sandro had a good game though. Good work rate creating space for others.

I hope the rumours of FenerbahÃ§e wanting Mirallas are true. Koeman wants players with more productivity, so why give him another contract? Unless it means we don't have to sell him on the cheap.

Brian Williams
4 Posted 28/06/2017 at 09:01:58

Athletic David? Malaga you mean?

I think that's exactly why Mirallas's contract was extended.

Colin Glassar
5 Posted 28/06/2017 at 09:51:05

I also think Kevin will be off soon. He's not good enough if we want to be a top 4 team.

Andrew Ellams
6 Posted 28/06/2017 at 10:11:19

Brian, I think David is referring to Saul Niguez.

Brian Williams
7 Posted 28/06/2017 at 10:25:10

Ah thanks Andrew. D'oh on my part. Soz David.

Brian Williams
8 Posted 28/06/2017 at 10:27:59

On a different note, and apologies for bringing him up here. Did anyone see the latest video clip from Lukaku regarding the five-a-side match without the Chelsea hoardings?

Paul Tran
9 Posted 28/06/2017 at 10:38:33

I've seen it, Brian. Yawn. Proves whatever confirmation bias we choose to have.

Andrew Ellams
10 Posted 28/06/2017 at 10:56:47

Lukaku actually tweeted a comment based on that claiming it was all nonsense.

Chris Williams
11 Posted 28/06/2017 at 11:03:19

Pity he was wearing a Nike tee shirt!

Steve Mink
12 Posted 28/06/2017 at 11:20:30

Thought Sandro looked good and Geri looked like Geri – wonderful touches, no end product.

Des Farren
13 Posted 28/06/2017 at 13:00:21

No end product... yeah. That's why he is captain of Spanish U21and recently capped for Spain. Are we really that skilful a team that we can blithely write off such a player?

Oh yes, he doesn't run around enough; I forgot this obsession some have with physicality in football.

Dermot Byrne
14 Posted 28/06/2017 at 16:39:55

Our development now needs a team of more skilful but also terrier-like players. We are not yet going to be silky smooth aristocrats and it seems to me that is where the club is moving us.

But, in 2 years, we will have some potential aristocrats taking us up yet another step. It will be fun!

It will all come good the first season in new stadium as we bring Champions League trophy up the river in a floodlighted classy ship and deliver it to our new home.

Meanwhile the RS will be on the steps of St George's Hall yelling "5 times" in Norwegian. The Future not the Past! (Me... 56 and still huge illogical optimist.)

David Pearl
15 Posted 28/06/2017 at 16:44:18

Brian, an easy mistake to make, mate. I was referring to post number 1... which was deleted. Although I talk to myself a lot, so.

Deulofeu is the kind of player we'd all hope to be signing right now, not selling,

Our U21s would get ripped apart by Spain. Full of experience at the top level. If it was up to me... and I can't understand why it isn't, I'd have the likes of Stones, Barkley and Dier in our team and get them used to winning.

David Pearl
16 Posted 28/06/2017 at 16:52:22

I've just opened up a package from the Everton shop online, for an Everton kids hoodie. It's actually a Manchester City hoodie. How does that work?

Jim Jennings
17 Posted 28/06/2017 at 17:16:26

David (#16),

Same way as the Everton hoodie works. Just pull it over your head, then slide your arms into the sleeves and pull the hood up if it rains.

David Pearl
18 Posted 28/06/2017 at 17:21:59

Jim, thanks for that. It doesn't fit, now what?

Sean Roberts
19 Posted 28/06/2017 at 17:26:15

I watched the Spain game last night and thought Deulofeu was very good, I would love him to come back and improve with us rather than letting him go and turn into a worldly somewhere else. Just my opinion.

Mike Gaynes
20 Posted 28/06/2017 at 17:54:02

Multiple media reports today say BarÃ§a plan to exercise his buyback option, but Geri doesn't want to go back there.

Colin Metcalfe
21 Posted 28/06/2017 at 18:18:19

If BarÃ§a are going to buy him back why haven't they already done so? Why leave it so late? In my opinion I think BarÃ§a are not too convinced with Deulofeu and there is some differences of opinion whether to buy him back among the senior management of Barcelona.

48 hours left and if not hopefully the boy will be on his way back to Goodison. I just hope the boy can convince Koeman he can be part of his plans.

Mike Gaynes
22 Posted 28/06/2017 at 19:27:28

Colin, my best guess (as a BarÃ§a fan also) is that BarÃ§a management do want him back but have to navigate two apparent problems... both are rumours but have been widely reported from multiple news outlets.

One is that Geri doesn't want to come back.

Two is that Messi doesn't want him back.

Those two issues would give any new manager pause. But we'll know for sure in less than 48 hours.

Paul Sullivan
24 Posted 28/06/2017 at 23:30:43

Watched the Spain game. Looks like Del has Barkley syndrome. Loads of ability but can't consistently make the right decisions necessary to affect games. Several times his team-mates couldn't hide their frustration with him not passing the ball. Spain won despite him.

Jimmy Salt
25 Posted 29/06/2017 at 07:01:56

Just heard he's rejected a move back to BarÃ§a.

Kim Vivian
26 Posted 29/06/2017 at 08:06:27

If it's true he has rejected the return to BarÃ§a (or – as rumours have indicated – a certain other barrier was put in the way) and Juve and AC are interested, if we do not retain him (and I sincerely hope we do), who would set the fee?

Peter Thistle
27 Posted 30/06/2017 at 09:46:41

Agreed about the Barkley comparison. They both show flashes of ability but are ball-greedy glory seekers. The type of player you never wanted in your team when we used to play.

Deulofeu gets into some great positions but he tends to do a semi shot/cross instead of passing, rarely looks up. If he could lose that selfishness and lack of awareness from his game, he could be quality.

Ian Hollingworth
28 Posted 30/06/2017 at 11:31:39

Jim (#17) – I pissed myself laughing at that.

Brent Stephens
29 Posted 30/06/2017 at 11:57:08

Peter (#27), I also see Deulofeu as a glory-seeker. But Ross – well I wonder if his problem is more decision-making. In fact, if anything, I think he lacks confidence.

Brian Williams
30 Posted 30/06/2017 at 15:38:22

Geri's off, back to Barca.

Jim Knightley
31 Posted 30/06/2017 at 15:41:49

Very sad about this – BarÃ§a's decision to take him back illustrates his potential. At least we made money off of it (presumably along with some kind of loan fee from the AC Milan switch).

Martin Nicholls
32 Posted 30/06/2017 at 15:48:16

Fees for Deulofeu and Tom Cleverley will more than pay for Sandro and Henry Onyekuru. Looks like it could be good business to me!

David Graves
33 Posted 30/06/2017 at 15:57:02

Agreed Brent I don't see Ross as a ball greedy glory-seeker at all. Poor decision making is surely the biggest criticism and, contrary to being a glory-seeker, not putting his foot through the ball often enough when facing goal!

Brian Williams
34 Posted 30/06/2017 at 16:01:04

Martin (#32),

With ٤.5m left over, mate:

Sandro – ٣.2m; Onyekuru – ٤.8m = 㾸m.

Cleverley – ٦m; Deulofeu-㾶.5m = 㾾.5m.

Very good business indeed!

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