by Transfer mastrokers were rare for Everton in the Farhad Moshri -ära. But in the summer of 2021 it looked like they had pulled you off.
After the departure of Carlo Ancelotti and the controversial appointment of Rafa Benitez to the manager, it quickly became clear that the pre -season would be a difficult for the blues. After years of wasteful expenditure, there was also a feeling that new obligations would not be expensive.
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The early business was pointed out. Andros Townsend came to a free transfer after leaving Newcastle United. Then, for only £ 1.7 million, also Demarai Gray, who turns 29 today.
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The price of the wing player certainly aroused interest. After all, Gray was once a brilliant view in Leicester City and had often rejected strong achievements against Everton for the foxes. When he came to Bayer Leverkusen in 2020, he felt that he was in the Bundesliga.
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But after only 10 top appearances for Bayer, he was back in the Premier League with The Blues.
Gray shone in the first weeks of the season. The goals against Leeds United, Brighton & Hove Albion and Burnley helped Everton to start a surprisingly strong start under Benitez, with the former English Youth International being revived behind the center forward.
Even when the bikes dropped to Benitez in the coming weeks, it was often Gray who offered a spark. He met in the Merseyside derby to reduce Liverpools two -goals -although the blues would at some point lose 4: 1 anyway -and then scored a breathtaking winner in the interruption against Arsenal to reduce the pressure on his manager.
However, Benitez would not take much longer, and Frank Lampard was finally replaced at the end of January to replace him.
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While the Chelsea legend was able to hold Everton from the relegation difficulties, he never found a way to make the best of gray like Benitez.
In fact, his most meaningful contribution under Lampard was the free kick delivery for Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s dramatic winner against Crystal Palace in 2022.
When Lampard also got his marching commands, it was a similar story under Sean Dyche.
Since Everton does not attack any options due to a lack of investments and a number of injuries, the new boss Gray would use an emergency capacity as a center forward.
In addition, Dyche preferred the industry of Alex Iwobi and Dwight McNeil in the wide areas of ingenuity compared to Grayes.
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Gray played as a center forward when the blues secured her status of the Premier League on the last day of the season against Bournemouth and had the feeling in the summer that he would continue if the opportunity arose.
Everton was of course on the edge of her first PSR fee at this time and sales were required.
In the end, Gray had the opportunity to leave the blues after closing the summer transfer window in 2023 when the Saudi Club Al -ettifaq was moving. However, the sale did not go through smoothly.
After Dyche said that he did not expect Gray to leave the club, Jamaica International himself took social media himself to offer an obvious response. “Everton fans were always great with me, but it is so difficult to play for someone who shows you as a person,” he said on Instagram.
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In an interview with the club’s official channels, Dyche reacted to the comments. “It is unhappy because I try to keep our business internally,” he said. “I think on this occasion it is right to answer.
“Demarai made it clear that he had the feeling of taking a step [away from Everton]And he told us that a step was taken, which was interesting from a player. “
However, it was a step that benefited the blues at the end. According to reports, the fee for Gray was preserved for around £ 8 million, and in Jack Harrison Dyche was able to call a loan player who was more suitable for his priorities as a coach.
Gray only scored four goals in 47 Saudi professional league -League -Outings last season, including none, which means that the Evertoners do not necessarily complain. He is now connected to Birmingham City.
So a master? Not quite. But an intelligent business when the football club was otherwise in turmoil? Absolutely.
