Everton’s Gray Embarks on a New Journey with Al-Ettifaq
In the ever-twisting narrative of Premier League football, where allegiance and loyalty are tested, Demarai Gray, the dazzling winger from Jamaica, has inked a fresh chapter in his career.
A Turbulent Farewell to Everton
Gray, with his impressive haul of 12 goals in 75 appearances for the Toffees, has now ventured into new territories, joining the ranks of Saudi Pro League’s Al-Ettifaq. While the whispers in the football alleys hint at an £8m valuation for a four-year spell, the exact figures remain veiled in secrecy.
However, it wasn’t a straightforward departure. Tensions simmered beneath the surface, with Gray’s seeming disapproval of his boss, Sean Dyche, especially after a proposed move to Fulham failed to materialise. Emotions spilled over onto social media platforms, where Gray lamented, “The truth is I gave my all to this club on and off the pitch.” Further illuminating his sentiments, he continued, “There has been a lot of speculation about my situation all summer. I was ready to play as much football as possible this season but it felt like this was not going to happen.”
Dyche, unyielding and forthright as ever, retorted that the club always has the final word when it comes to transfers. He didn’t hold back, stating Gray “didn’t want to train” and “didn’t want to be here” after the initial move fell through. It’s a sentiment echoed in Gray’s words: “it’s so difficult to play for someone who don’t show you respect as a person”.
Interestingly, the versatile winger did not make any appearance for Everton this season. His name also surfaced in transfer rumours linking him with Turkey’s Besiktas, but destiny had Saudi Arabia penned down as his next stop.
Al-Ettifaq’s Star-Studded Line-up
𝐆𝐀𝐌𝐄 𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑 🎮🟢#الاتفاق | #غراي_اتفاقي | @22Demarai pic.twitter.com/1Odfoy187t
— نادي الاتفاق (@Ettifaq) September 7, 2023
Al-Ettifaq, under the expert stewardship of football maestro and former Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard, have been on a signing spree. Gray’s acquisition follows other high-profile signings like England’s Jordan Henderson, Liverpool’s former midfield dynamo Georginio Wijnaldum, the Scottish wall Jack Hendry, and Lyon’s former frontman Moussa Dembele.
It’s an ambitious project in Saudi Arabia, and with Gerrard at the helm, the club is certainly gunning for glory. Gray’s addition adds more flair and dynamism to an already star-studded line-up. Only time will tell if this synergy will bear the desired fruits.
In the end, Gray’s journey from the iconic Goodison Park, where he netted nine times in 67 Premier League fixtures after his 2021 move, to Al-Ettifaq will be one to watch. Whether it’s the beginning of a new dream or the pursuit of new challenges, the Saudi Pro League is about to witness the magic of Demarai Gray.
