In both years, the Blues’ destiny was sealed on the last day, bringing both last-gasp elation and a level of anguish that evokes nostalgia for the highs that Everton experienced during the Premier League era.

So much talent has been seen at Goodison Park in the past and present, with one name in particular – Gerard Deulofeu – constantly invoked in debates about what might have been.

How much did Everton pay for Gerard Deulofeu?

When Gerard Deulofeu joined Liverpool on a loan agreement from Barcelona in 2013, few could have predicted the memories and quality that the then 19-year-old would bring to the club.

At the time of his arrival, the Spaniard was regarded as one of the hottest prospects in Spain and another hot issue from the fabled La Masia program, having been hailed as a “real diamond” by previous manager Roberto Martinez.

The kid spent the 2013/14 season in England before returning to Barcelona, where he was loaned to Sevilla again.

Deulofeu returned to his original club from Goodison Park a year later, but this time on a permanent deal worth £4.2 million with a three-year contract.

After made quite an impression as a child during his initial stay at the club, the youngster was greeted with warm arms upon his return to Merseyside.

Deulofeu scored how many goals for Everton?

In his first Premier League season in 2013/14, the Spaniard dazzled with three goals and four assists in 25 league games, cementing himself as a fan favorite at Goodison Park.

When he returned in 2015, he scored two goals and assisted nine more in the Premier League, while also putting up outstanding numbers in the League Cup, where he contributed to five goals in only six outings.

Deployed on the wing, the Barcelona youth star showed excellent skill and finesse to the benefit of those around him, attributes that made him a likeable character on Merseyside.

In 75 documented appearances in all competitions for Everton over three seasons, the versatile attacker had a hand in 27 goals, scoring eight and assisting 19.

The issue for the winger arose when the manager who saw his talent left, as Martinez was fired from his position at Goodison Park and was later replaced by Ronald Koeman.

What happened to Gerard Deulofeu?

It’s fair to assume that Koeman and Deulofeu didn’t always agree, with the former Everton dynamo implying to the Liverpool Echo that the Dutchman was the reason for his quick departure from the club.

The Catalan star stated that he didn’t “understand” why he wasn’t preferred by the new manager at the time, who eventually shut him out of the group, forcing him to leave.

Deulofeu described his departure from Goodison as “difficult,” with a noticeable lack of communication to explain why he had fallen out of favor.

Fortunately for the Spaniard, AC Milan was waiting in the wings to sign the youngster on loan, adding to his perplexity about the enormity of the Italian club and their willingness to sign the player.

Deulofeu’s exit from Goodison was described as “difficult,” with a significant lack of communication to explain why he had fallen out of favor.

Fortunately for the Spaniard, AC Milan was waiting in the wings to sign the youngster on loan, which added to his confusion regarding the Italian club’s size and readiness to sign the boy.

Where is Gerard Deulofeu now?

After recovering from an ACL injury sustained in 2020, the Spaniard endeavoured on a loan spell back in Serie A, this time representing Udinese.

The former Blues star made his move to Italy permanent in January 2021, and has since flourished after suffering a career setback as punishing as an ACL blow, scoring 16 Serie A goals so far since his arrival.

Interestingly, his tally of six assists last term was the joint-fourth most in the division and as many as Ademola Lookman. It would also have been enough to rank him second in the Everton squad, only behind Alex Iwobi on seven and ahead of the creative Dwight McNeil.

Described as “incredible” by scout Antonio Mango throughout his time with Udinese thus far, Deulofeu can look back on his time in England with a grin on his face, having had a huge impression on both Everton and Watford during his career.

That so, given the Blues’ recent troubles and missteps, there’s an underlying feeling of wonder about what the Spaniard could have brought to the club if Koeman had preferred his presence on the wing.

In an interview with the Liverpool Echo, Deulofeu stated that “Everton is in my heart,” referring to his great memories of his time at Goodison Park during his two spells there.

Arriving as a Toffee as a teenager, and departing as an experienced and noticeable wide player in world football, the Spaniard will forever be a name spoken fondly about for the Blues, and a talent that has been sorely missed since his departure.