Forward thinking Deulofeu relishing new Everton role

With Romelu Lukaku seemingly heading for a return to Chelsea, Everton have found one potential replacement upfront already – from within their own camp.

Winger Gerard Deulofeu has led the line for the Toffees so far in pre-season and has scored in successive games against MK Dons and Barnsley as well as producing impressive all-round displays.

Whether he can replicate those performances in the Premier League remains to be seen, but the Spaniard is by no means new to the position.

Deulofeu taps in against MK Dons 

Deulofeu has prior experience playing as a No.9 and while the Toffees will almost certainly add a striker should Lukaku leave – Stoke’s Marko Arnautovic is an option – their cupboard is not completely threadbare.

“I like playing centre-forward a lot because I’m near to the goal and I have more chances,” said Deulofeu, whose only competition for the role apart from Lukaku is currently Arouna Kone.

“I’ve played there before for Barcelona ‘B’ and I’m a quick player, so normally I’m too quick for the centre-halves and I can run in behind them. My feeling playing centre-forward is very good.

“As a team we need to keep more of the possession but it’s only the third week back in training. We need to improve on the mistakes but we have a good feeling already this season.

“We go to Germany now for the Dresden Cup and we hope the two games are positive for the team because the first game in the Premier League against Tottenham is getting near.”