Two former Evertonians return to England

What a day it’s been in the January transfer window, as two former Everton players have wound their way back to the country, under different circumstances.

Toffee legend Tim Cahill has come back to where it all started, signing a deal that sees him return to Millwall until the end of the current season when he will lead Australia in this summer’s World Cup.

The 38-year-old forward spent nine years with the Blues, leaving the club in 2012 with an amazing scoring record of 68 goals in 276 games played, many of them legendary strikes that have gone down in Toffee lore.

Cahill’s heading prowess and ability to ghost into the box, as well as his trademark boxing routine with the corner flag to celebrate his goals will never be forgotten by the fans, and the Aussie will be wished well by all Blues.

Also returning to the country, this time in the Premier League, is former winger Gerard Deulofeu. The Spaniard has struggled to make an impression at Barcelona this season after the club exercised the right of first refusal on the player when Everton decided to sell over the summer. Deulofeu then became surplus to requirement at Camp Nou following the big money transfer of Philippe Coutinho from across Stanley Park.

Deulofeu quickly became a fan favourite when brought in Roberto Martinez, with his pace on the wings and stepover-laden runs. However, he appeared to be a one-trick pony that was easily manhandled off the ball and his inability to adjust to the physical nature of the game in England seemed to cut short his time at the Blues, where he scored 8 goals and assisted 19 times in 75 games.

Watford’s story this season has been inextricably linked with Everton’s, and following the appointment of Javi Garcia to replace the manager the Blues chased for some time Marco Silva, it’s interesting that the first player to be signed is one that Everton still have a financial interest in.

Deulofeu joins the Hornets on a half-season loan, but should the sale be made permanent, there is a hefty sell-on clause that the Blues had inserted into his sale agreement when he went back to Barca.

Meanwhile, Everton come up against their former winger in less than a month when the Blues travel to Vicarage Road to take on Watford on February 24th. See you then, Geri.