This article forms part of our Profit Players feature series, which is where Football Transfer Tavern takes a look at how well a player has fared since being signed or sold, using statistical figures and statements from pundits to prove how good of a deal the club managed to achieve.
In hindsight, some transfers can look like a fantastic deal for the selling club, even if at the time it appeared to be a huge blow – this is certainly something to which Everton can attest .
The case in question here is that of Spain international Gerard Deulofeu. The Toffees’ first experience with the winger came in 2013, when he made the move to Goodison Park on a loan deal. As a teenager at the time, he scored four goals and provided five assists in 29 matches during the 2013/14 campaign, and even though he returned to Barcelona at the end of the term, the Merseyside club were still eager for him to return.
In 2014/15, he scored three times and provided 10 assists in 28 matches whilst with Sevilla, and that convinced Everton to part with £4.2m to sign him permanently.
There were certainly plenty of positive moments during that second spell with the Toffees. During the 2015/16 campaign, he struck four times and created a further 13 goals in 33 matches – it may have been more had it not been for a hamstring injury.
However, in the first half of the following term, his form took a dive. He managed just one assist in 13 matches and, in January 2017, he was loaned out to AC Milan. He would actually never play for Everton again, with the Blaugrana re-signing him for €12m (£10.6m) at the end of the season.
Would you take Gerard Deulofeu back?
Yes
No
That seemed to be a low fee considering he had shown such positive form. However, back at Camp Nou, he failed to make an impact, managing two goals and two assists in 19 matches before signing for Watford.
During the 2018/19 campaign, he was certainly an important player for the Hornets, with 18 direct goal contributions in all competitions, but last season he was unable to help the Hertfordshire side survive in the top flight as they were relegated to the Championship.
Factor in the number of injuries he has suffered, and the 152% profit that the Toffees made from the 46 matches that he played for them on a permanent basis looks to be good business on their part.
Everton fans, did the club get a good deal from the sale of Deulofeu? Let us know what you think by commenting below!
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