Deulofeu braced for Barcelona title

Posted Friday, July 18, 2014 by Foxsports.com

Gerard Deulofeu admits he faces an uphill task to get into the Barcelona first team next season as he prepares to compete for a place in Luis Enrique's side's attack with Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Luis Suarez.

However, the former Everton loanee insists he is determined to convince Barca's coaching staff he is worthy of a place in the starting line-up and is confident he is good enough to share a pitch with such illustrious company.

"I will start at the back of the queue, I have to be realistic," the 20-year-old told a press conference.

"We all know that the best players in the world play for Barca but I am hopeful I can earn a place in the team."

Deulofeu is expected to start in Barcelona's pre-season friendly at Recreativo Huelva on Saturday, with Neymar, Messi, and Pedro all given extended leave because of their participation in the World Cup - while Suarez is unavailable due to his ban for biting Giorgio Chiellini.

He also has a realistic chance of featuring in Barcelona's first few games of the new Primera Division season, with Suarez suspended until the end of October and Neymar recovering from the back injury which saw his World Cup campaign end prematurely.

"If the boss decides to give me a chance I'll take it," said Deulofeu. "I believe in myself a lot and I'm a born winner."

The 20-year-old refused to say whether Barca had made the right decision in signing Suarez given his lengthy ban, but called the controversial Uruguayan - who he faced in the Merseyside derby last season - a "great striker".

"The most remarkable thing about him for me is the level of hunger he has," he added.

Deulofeu also highlighted the qualities of his other fellow forwards, saying Neymar "is incredible at beating defenders", while calling Messi "the best player in the world".

Although Deulofeu acknowledges that his Premier League experience helped him grow as a player, he regrets not featuring more often for the Toffees.

"I learned a lot of things at Everton and enjoyed myself but I'm left with the sensation I could have played more," said the Spaniard, who made nine Premier League starts and 16 appearances as a substitute with Roberto Martinez's side last term, scoring three goals and providing three assists.

"When I arrived in England everyone told me the football was end-to-end and I've improved physically and defensively," he added.

"You don't realise what you've got until you leave. I've learned a lot and I've come back with determination."