Report: 'Absolutely brilliant' player considered leaving Everton this summer but 1-on-1 talks changed his mind

By Sam Preston

Demarai Gray considered leaving Everton in the summer transfer window after just one season at Goodison Park.

Gray was signed by Rafa Benitez, who was then sacked in January and replaced by Frank Lampard and he guided the Toffees away from relegation.

But that brush with the drop made Gray consider his future at the club, according to the Athletic, who have interviewed the wideman.

Gray considered leaving Everton

Gray described the relegation battle as a “beautiful struggle”, but it did lead him to re-consider if he should stay on Merseyside.

He did not want to be in a relegation dogfight again this season and of course Everton lost Richarlison in the summer as well.

But Gray now thinks Everton are “perfect” for him, and one-to-one summer talks with Lampard’s assistant, Joe Edwards, helped change his mind as well as the summer of recruitment, which looks hugely impressive now.

Gray was praised by Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman against Spurs last month, despite Everton ultimately losing 2-0 in north London.

Although Gray spurned a good chance to make it 1-0, Goodman nonetheless liked what he saw in the build-up.

“It is absolutely brilliant from Gray,” said Goodman (15/10, 17:54). “He is direct and drives on,” but unfortunately the opportunity went begging at a vital time.