The talented winger has made a minimal impact at Milan in his first few weeks after arriving on loan from Everton.
In 13 league appearances for two different clubs this season, Gerard Deulofeu is still yet to score or create a single goal.
And, just three games into his AC Milan career, the same problems that underlined his January loan departure from Everton are starting to rankle at the San Siro too, Football Italia reports.
The Spanish winger spurned a glorious chance in Milan’s 1-0 defeat at Sampdoria at the weekend, their fourth reverse in a row in league and cup, and his new coach, Vincenzo Montella, is already beginning to publically question his contribution in the final third.
“He clearly has quality,” Montella explained in quotes reported by Football Italia.
“He needs to grow in terms of being consistent during the game and he needs to be more decisive. He can do a lot better.”
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Yet, any hopes of Deulofeu hitting the ground running in Milan and kick-starting his career after stalling under Ronald Koeman have resulted only in disappointment.
The Spaniard’s quality is not in question. In fact, during two spells under Roberto Martinez, Deulofeu offered glimpses of potentially world class talent, whether it be whipping pinpoint crosses into Romelu Lukaku’s thundering path or slaloming through hacking legs with Messi-esque dexterity.
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However, Koeman made no secret of his desire for Deulofeu to add work rate and consistency to his class, with his failure to do so eventually leading to his premature, if temporary, departure from Goodison Park.
And, judging by his impact so far in Milan, Everton have very little reason yet to regret their decision.
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