Demarai Gray says he’s enjoying his football again at Everton
Everton have started the 2021-22 league campaign on a fine note, and they have Demarai Gray as one of those to thank due to his form since his arrival.
The 25-year-old English attacker has scored three goals and weighed in with one assist in seven Premier League games since joining from Bayer Leverkusen during the summer transfer window.
While he was not involved directly in the goal during Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford, Gray’s run and pass to Abdoulaye Doucoure before Andros Townsend’s equaliser highlighted his quality, and he insists his form is down to his new environment at Everton.
“That [consistency] has been my issue over of the past few years,” the former Leicester City star told evertontv.
“I have a manager here and a team that believe in me and give me the freedom to express myself.
“I’m enjoying my football again. Everything’s clicked well here. I just want to keep working hard to maintain my level and keep improving.”
Top player
Gray was tipped for the very top since his Birmingham City days, making his debut at 17.
He joined Leicester City in January 2016 and was part of their title-winning squad at the end of the season, but things never took off for him.
The attacker left the Foxes in January for the Bundesliga after 10 goals in 133 top-flight games, and is already very close to halving that return after just seven appearances for the Toffees.
It is a new lease of life for Gray on Merseyside, and if he continues at this rate, he could become one of the best bargain signings in the history of Everton.
He cost the club just £1.7million, and Rafa Benitez will be very pleased with the impact he has had so far.
At Old Trafford, the likes of Gray and free signing Townsend outshone the mega-million attack the hosts boast of, and if Everton finish in the top-six this term with this squad, Benitez and his players will go down as instant heroes.
In other Everton news, the Toffees are in hunt for new coach after exit left void in key behind-the-scenes area.
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