Former Barcelona attacker admits he was not ‘quality’ enough to succeed at club

Speaking in an interview (h/t AS), Gerard Deulofeu has admitted that he did not have the required quality to succeed at Barcelona during his time at Spotify Camp Nou.

A product of Barcelona’s La Masia youth academy, Deulofeu made his first-team breakthrough in 2011 but could not carve out a place for himself in a star-studded attacking unit. After a few loan spells, he left the club permanently in 2015, joining Everton.

The 28-year-old would return to Barça two years later in the summer of 2017 but would depart just six months later when he signed for Watford.

Across his two stints, Deulofeu made just 23 appearances for the Barcelona first team, producing a return of two goals and two assists each.

Now, the Spaniard, who is thriving in Italy with Udinese, has admitted that he did not have the necessary ‘tools’ to succeed at Spotify Camp Nou during his time at the club.

“At that time I was a bit lost. Everyone saw that I had stratospheric conditions, but in the elite, quality is not enough, much more is needed. I have realized that with experience,” Deulofeu said.

“I would have liked someone in the locker room to keep me grounded. I didn’t have all the tools to succeed there,” he further added.

Talking about the young talent coming through at Barcelona such as Pedri, Gavi, Ansu Fati and Alejandro Balde, Deulofeu insisted that he sees a reflection of himself in them.

“It is in the players that I reflect the most. I give a lot of value to what they do, and what they achieve and calm with what they do. It’s crazy what these young boys do in this transition that Barça are in.”

After leaving Barcelona for Watford in January 2018, Deulofeu spent a little over two years in England before signing for Udinese in 2020. The forward is excelling in Serie A and enjoyed a fine season in 2021/22 while he has made a positive start to the ongoing campaign as well.

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