Gerard Deulofeu reveals Milan and Napoli wanted to sign him in the summer and why he is ‘surprised’ by Leo Messi.
The Spanish winger joined Udinese on loan from Watford in the summer and scored his first goal of the season against Vicenza in Coppa Italia earlier this week.
“I still lack a bit of speed and intensity to get back to my level. But I scored the first goal, now we just have to change our results in Serie A,” he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
The Friulani are set to host Milan next week-end.
Gerard Deulofeu reveals Milan and Napoli wanted to sign him in the summer and why he is ‘surprised’ by Leo Messi.
The Spanish winger joined Udinese on loan from Watford in the summer and scored his first goal of the season against Vicenza in Coppa Italia earlier this week.
“I still lack a bit of speed and intensity to get back to my level. But I scored the first goal, now we just have to change our results in Serie A,” he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
The Friulani are set to host Milan next week-end.
“I can’t wait to face them, they are doing very well but I am convinced that if we play with more intensity we can win.”
Deulofeu played for six months with the Rossoneri back in 2017 and he reveals he could have made return to the Stadio Meazza last summer.
“It was an option, and the same is true of Napoli and other big clubs.
“I decided to join Udine because I need to play with continuity to return to my level. I live for football and I always want to play, I don’t like being on the bench. If I don’t play I’m not happy.”
The Spaniard is still in touch with some of his ex teammates.
“It’s football. Two properties have changed. Sometimes I speak with Gigio [Donnarumma] via Instagram. How many goals I scored against him [in training].”
The 26-year-old thrived in Barcelona’s youth sector and played for the Catalans as well as Everton and Sevilla in the past. Now, he hopes to return to his National team as well.
“I work for that too. I played well in the Premier League. Do you know I was [Romelu] Lukaku’s biggest assist provider at Everton? However, the Europa League with Sevilla is the trophy I care about most.”
“I had a good time [In Barcelona]. But now I belong to Watford. I’m certainly surprised that [Leo] Messi has been the number one at these levels for 15 years.”