Koeman wants Deulofeu to get playing time

Everton travel to Crystal Palace on Saturday and manager Ronald Koeman spoke to the media earlier today. The first question he fielded was regarding unsettled winger Gerard Deulofeu who has been the subject of rumours regarding a loan or transfer to AC Milan, Ajax Amsterdam and Middlesbrough.

“I don’t know if it’s really an update. I spoke to Geri, it’s a difficult situation for the player and if we find a solution for him to go play and get game time.

“The final decision (for a loan or transfer) remains with the Board to say yes or no to an agreement. I have not had a call from the Chairman that they have agreed something for Deulofeu.

“It’s always tough, you’re not really part of the team, you don’t get a lot of game minutes. With the competition level at the club, it’s not easy to get minutes. We have to do first what is best for the club, and next what is best for the player.

“In the situation of Geri, it is best that he gets game time somewhere.”

So there, that’s as definitive an answer as you’ll get from Koeman that there appears to be no future for Deulofeu at Everton. The big question remains if the Toffees loan him out to improve his game, or possibly sell him outright if Koeman really feels there’s no way back for him.