Gerard Deulofeu isn’t new to the premier league despite my title, he’s more of a returning player after 1 season with Everton in 13/14. The 21 yeard old 1.76 m (5 foot 9 inch) Spanish International was signed by Everton from Barcelona for a reported £4.2m. The transfer is littered with buy back clauses showing Barca weren’t quite ready to completely cut the cord. We assess his stats and FPL prospects.
fantasy premier league new player profile – Everton’s Gerard Deulofeu
| Gerard Deulofeu | ||||
| Season | Team | Games | goals/assts | Mins per Goal/Asst |
| 2014/15 | Sevilla | 17 | 1/6 | 111 mins |
| 2013/14 | Everton | 25 | 3/4 | 129 mins |
| 2012/13 | Barca B | 33 | 18/6 | 99 mins |
| Totals | 75 | 22/16 | 107 mins | |
| UCL | All | 3 | 0/0 | – mins |
| Europa | All | 5 | 0/2 | 102 mins |
| Spain | 1 | 0 goals | ||
His stats quite frankly are nothing short of sensational. Previously categorised by FPL as a forward that will be crucial in our assessment of the player.
Lets compare his stats to that of the other Everton players:
| Everton players 14/15 | ||||
| Player | matches | goals/assts | Mins per G/A | |
| Mirallas | 29 | 7/1 | 178 mins | |
| Osman | 21 | 2/2 | 320 mins | |
| Pienaar | 9 | 0/2 | 159 mins | |
| McGeady | 16 | 1/3 | 221 mins | |
| Naismith | 31 | 7/1 | 257 mins | |
| Barkley | 29 | 2/2 | 490 mins | |
| Lennon | 23 | 2/3 | 269 mins | |
Of those Pienaar and Osman played pretty much on the left while the others to a greater or lesser extent played on the right where Deulofeu is likely to be stationed. Latterly of those only Mirallas came anywhere near Deulofeu’s returns and given Mirallas only averaged 49 minutes per game and started only 4 of the last 11 games he seems destined for the exit door. Despite his stats Lennon is probably the greatest threat to Deulofeu’s starts as Lennon occupied Deulofeu’s RW position for the last 13 games of the season.. However Lennon has now returned from his loan spell to Spurs and they seemed, as I write this, to have priced him out of Evertons expectations. There are however rumours of a swap deal for Evertons McCarthy in return for Lennon and Kaboul which may still resurrect the threat to Deulofeu’s gametime.
Prospects
It’s worth stating that his categorisation in FPL will be crucial. He has had great stats unquestionably but there are likely to be cheap strikers who are the central attcking focus of their team for around the same money and they are likely to be better prospects than a winger.
The next hurdle is gametime. Deulofeu assuming Lennon doesn’t return is well placed to take his place on the right given the lack of anyone to hold a place last season other than Lennon who occupied the last 13 Premier League games. If Lennon does return it will be interesting to see who holds the RW position.
What Deulofeu does offer to the team is pace, directness and the ability to beat people which was so lacking in the Everton side until Lennon joined on loan. Again in this respect Lennon’s presence or not could be vital in determining the gametime of Deulofeu.
The weakness of Deulofeu’s game which seemed to be his downfall at Varca and Sevilla is his lack of defensive discipline and tracking back coupled with a lack of physical conditoning. Given that this his defence had also has been part of Mirallas’ downfall that will be a watchout for Deulofeu in his return.
Rotation should be far less of an issue than last year given that Everton are no longer in Europe. Martinez will have to significantly improve on the clubs position from last year which hopefully will make him avoid unecessary tinkering
Lets look at Evertons opening fixtures:
Watford (H)
Southampton (A)
Man City (H)
Tottenham (A)
Chelsea (H)
Swamsea (A)
The fixtures couldn’t be much trickier and I’ve rated them 17th over the first 6 fixtures and 13th over 3 fixtures for “easiness” in my fixture ease article. Just click on the fixture ease category tab if you want to see it. That means there’s no need to rush into a decision over Deulofeu.
Pre-season will give us a few more clues to his gametime and position. Here’s Everton’s pre-season schedule:
Barclays Asia Trophy
15 July v Stoke City (Singapore National Stadium) 11am
18 July v Arsenal or Singapore XI (Singapore National Stadium) Kick-off TBC
1 August v Leeds United (Elland Road) 3pm
2 August v Villarreal (H), 3pm (Duncan Ferguson testimonial)
UPDATED 11/7: Deulofeu is classified as a midfielder in FPL and priced at £6.5m
Summary
- Great goalscoring and assist stats
- Gametime risk with a number of competing players but especially if Lennon returns
- However offers pace to the side sorely lacking unless Lennon returns
- Difficult fixtures to start
- FPL classification will be crucial. Midfield will make him far more attractive (note 11/7 he is a midfielder £6.5m)
