As the season draws to a close, Gerard Deulofeu was invited to look back on the year and share his hopes for the future on Udinese Tonight. His interview came after Udinese had fallen to defeat against Spezia at the weekend. “I’m good. I’ve managed to get over Saturday. I’m still disappointed about it, but we need to take stock of where we were and where we are now, reflect on it and thank the fans.”
Udinese have enjoyed a strong second half of the season and he regards working together as a group as one of the most important keys to success. “This is a team game, not an individual one. It’s up to us as players with more experience, alongside the coach, to create the right mentality.”
Deulofeu’s start in Udine was not the easiest as a result of injury, but he thinks it has changed him as a player. “I’ve matured since January. I understand things better. Before, I was a kid playing on the wing, with a lot of skill but not much understanding of the game. Now, I feel immersed in it. I know where I need to be and I’ve got some goals this season, which I was lacking last year. I feel stronger than before my injury because now I understand football.”
To come back so strong after an operation is the result of hard work. “Nowadays in football, being talented isn’t enough. Talent must come with sacrifice. There is nothing random about me having a season like this after two injuries. I’ve put in a lot of hard work over these two years.”
The Spaniard isn’t shy of sharing his desire to aim high. “I want to be the best player every week and every season.” There remain questions over his future, but he was quick to emphasise how comfortable he currently feels and how focused he is on finishing the league well. “I’m very happy and I want to see this season through. I can’t say anything because I said to my agent to not tell me anything. When there was talk of the transfer window, I wanted to make sure that I was focused on the team and season, so I just took the approach of what will be, will be.” The striker is happy in Udine and admits that he would not be disappointed “to continue moving forward with this club. I say that because the fans are enthusiastic. There are young players who can improve and could make Udinese a great side.”
He considered the possibility of being called up for the Spanish side for the World Cup. “It’s obvious that you think about it because for me, being in the national side would be the best. Playing for your national team is amazing. I have been lucky enough to play four games and to score against France. It was an incredible time. But I know full well that it is very hard, because there are amazing young players in Spain. But I’m not saying anything. I’ll do my thing here and if it happens, I will be ready to play.”
Deulofeu spoke positively of Udinese coach Gabriele Cioffi. “I have a good relationship with him. When he takes me off, not so much,” he laughs. “Cioffi is going to be a top manager. You don’t come across many who can motivate a team like him. A coach without character and mentality can’t transmit the determination you need. Everyone can improve, including him, and from the start he’s made, I think he’s going to have a bright future.”
To finish, the number 10 emphasised that he and his team-mates are ready to see the season through “for the fans and the Pozzo family, which provide us with a great set-up and everything we need to play our games and win points. We have to do it for ourselves too, obviously, to finish in twelfth spot with 47 points. It’s been a long time since we’ve got so many points and we want to finish strong.”