Transfer masterstrokes have been rare for Everton in the modern era. But in the summer of 2021, it looked as though they had pulled one off.
After the departure of Carlo Ancelotti and the controversial appointment of Rafael Benitez as manager, it became apparent quickly that the pre-season was going to be a tough one for the Blues. Following years of lavish spending, there was also a feeling that new signings would not be expensive.
The early deals were indicative of that. Andros Townsend arrived on a free transfer after leaving Newcastle United. Then, for just £1.7 million, so did Demarai Gray.
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The price of the winger certainly piqued interest. Gray, after all, had once been a brilliant prospect at Leicester City and had frequently turned in strong performances against Everton for the Foxes. When he joined Bayer Leverkusen in 2020, there was a feeling he would kick on in the Bundesliga.
But after just 10 top-flight appearances for Bayer, he was back in the Premier League again with Everton.
In the early weeks of the season, Gray shone. Goals against Leeds United, Brighton & Hove Albion and Burnley helped Everton get off to a surprisingly strong start under Benitez, with the England youth international revitalised behind the centre-forward.
Even when the wheels started to come off for Benitez in the coming weeks, it was often Gray who offered a spark. He scored in the Merseyside derby to reduce Liverpool’s two-goal lead – although Everton would eventually lose 4-1 anyway – then netted a stunning winner in stoppage time against Arsenal to ease the pressure on his manager.
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Benitez would not last much longer though, with Frank Lampard eventually drafted in to replace him at the end of January. While the Chelsea legend was able to steer Everton away from relegation trouble, he never quite found a way of getting the best of Gray like Benitez did.
Indeed, arguably Gray’s most telling contribution under Lampard was the free-kick delivery for Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s dramatic winner against Crystal Palace in 2022.
When Lampard also got his marching orders, it was a similar story under Sean Dyche. With Everton short of attacking options due to a lack of investment and a number of injuries, the new boss would use Gray in an emergency capacity as a centre-forward. But beyond that, Dyche preferred the industry of Alex Iwobi and Dwight McNeil in the wide areas compared to Gray’s flashes of ingenuity.
Gray played as the centre-forward when Everton secured their Premier League status on the final day of the season against Bournemouth and going into the summer there was a feeling he would be moved on if the opportunity arose. The Blues, of course, were on the brink of their first PSR charge at that point and sales were needed.
In the end, Gray had the chance to leave Everton after the 2023 summer transfer window closed, when Saudi club Al-Ettifaq made their move. The sale didn’t go through smoothly though.
After Dyche said he didn’t expect Gray to leave the club, the forward took to social media himself to offer an apparent retort. “Everton fans have always been great with me but it is so difficult to play for someone who don’t show you respect as a person,” he said on Instagram.
Dyche reacted to the comments in an interview with the club’s official channels. “It’s an unfortunate one because I try to keep our business in-house,” he said. “I think on this occasion, it’s right to reply.
“Demarai made it clear that he felt he was getting a move [away from Everton], and he told us a move was done, which was interesting to hear from a player.”
It was a move that benefitted the Blues in the end though. Reports put the fee received for Gray at around £8 million and in Jack Harrison, Dyche was able to call upon a loan player who was better suited to his priorities as a coach.
Gray has gone on to score four goals in 23 Saudi Pro League outings, meaning Evertonians have not necessarily been lamenting his exit.
So a masterstroke? Not quite. But a smart piece of business when the football club was otherwise in turmoil? Absolutely