Gerard Deulofeu has taken aim at new Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman and the club itself for losing patience with its youth system.
Deulofeu certainly knows a thing or two about Koeman after playing under him at Everton during the 2016/17 campaign.
The now-Watford winger made just 13 appearances under the Dutchman before being shipped off to AC Milan on loan. He later rejoined Barcelona at the end of the season. A lack of regular opportunities at Camp Nou, however, saw him leave for England again a year later.
“I can tell you about Koeman from my personal experience, and I have very little to tell you about Koeman,” Deulofeu told Catalunya Radio.
“He provided me absolutely nothing. I wasn’t happy, I asked to leave, and I went to Milan. We’ll see how he does at the Camp Nou.”
Koeman officially replaced the ousted Quique Setien as the new Barcelona manager this week on a two-year deal. Whether he’ll be around in 2022, however, will likely hinge on the presidential elections in March.
One candidate in Victor Font has already declared that he will remove Koeman as manager in favor of Xavi Hernandez should he become the club’s next president.
“The truth is that Barcelona’s [situation] does not bother me,” said Deulofeu. “In fact, I don’t care.”
Although the 26-year-old, who is likely on the lookout for a new club following Watford’s relegation from the Premier League last season, did express his disappointment with how the club ignored its youth system.
Barcelona instead spent big on several failed signings over the last decade. Therefore, they’ve had to rely on the likes of Lionel Messi, Gerard Pique, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, and other veteran stars to deliver.
Deulofeu added: “At Barcelona, they have not had patience with La Masia for years. If you give [the youngsters] time, they learn the style of the first team.
“There are players, many of us have come from there, but not patience. Now there will be changes, but they are years behind.”
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