Everton winger Demarai Gray ready to channel negative experiences into growth
Everton winger Demarai Gray has revealed that he is “feeling good” and is looking for a “fresh start” ahead of the start of the next campaign.
The Toffees are coming off the back of a horrendous campaign where they barely managed to escape relegation after a 3-2 win against Crystal Palace on matchday 37.
While talking to The Cooligans, the 26-year-old stated that despite having a rollercoaster last 12 months he is looking forward to another year.
“I’m feeling good, it’s a fresh start this season,” said Gray. “The last 12 months have been like a rollercoaster, so to survive the way we did last year was obviously nice but we’ve got to be positive now. I’m looking forward to another year.
“I know the highs and the lows, I’ve experienced it. Whatever situation I find myself in I know how to manage it a bit better and I think that showed towards the end of last season because obviously we won the crucial game that kept us up – and I played a part in it as well.”
Important player
When Gray was progressing as a footballer during his Leicester City days, many thought that he would go on to become one of the best wingers in the Premier League.
However, things haven’t materialised like that as a failed move at Bayer Leverkusen disrupted the momentum of his career.
He joined Everton with the hopes of revitalising his career and to some extent he has managed to do that in the past 12 months, despite the Toffees having a campaign to forget on so many fronts.
In the 2021-22 season, the former England U21 international played 34 Premier League games, scoring five goals and providing four assists [Transfermarkt].
Those numbers might not look sparkling for many but considering that he joined the Merseyside club in a deal worth just £1.7 million in the summer of 2021 [Sky Sports], Everton fans will take those performances with open arms and will be hoping for similar or improved ones in the upcoming season.