Anwar El Ghazi believes he should have been given more of chance to prove himself after nightmare spells with Everton and Aston Villa saw him exit the Premier League altogether.
The Dutchman was brought to Goodison Park on loan by Rafa Benitez on January 13 but the Spanish coach was himself shown the exit door only three days later. El Ghazi would make just two substitute appearances for the Toffees before returning to parent club Aston Villa at the end of the season.
But after being effectively frozen out by then-Villa boss Steven Gerrard, he has since joined Eredivisie side PSV Eindhoven where he already has three goals to his name in eight appearances across all competitions.
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Speaking to the Athletic, El Ghazi explained how Benitez convinced him to make the move to Goodison. He said: “I had a good conversation with Rafa Benitez at Everton. He was playing with wingers. He said to me that he didn’t understand why I wasn’t playing at Villa and that he would love to have me with him. He told me there was competition but that I would get a chance. He said he knew I could score goals.
“I was really excited and wanted to show myself that I could do it there because Everton is a big and great club, but three days after I signed, it was unlucky because Benitez was sacked.
“ Frank Lampard came and I tried to work hard and keep going and show the manager what I could do, but the system, and in his pecking order… I didn’t get a chance.”
With El Ghazi unable to play against parent club Villa and then cup-tied for Lampard's match as Everton boss, the winger soon found himself out of the picture, as the new manager prioritised defensive solidity in an effort to avoid relegation to the Championship.
El Ghazi said: “I never had a proper opportunity at Everton and I’m not going to lie, it was a really tough period for me. Really tough. But I have a good wife. My religion keeps me strong and my family back home helped. I could switch off when I came home. I kept working hard for myself and tried to regain my focus but it was difficult.”
Having gone back to Villa at the end of last season, he soon realised that he would not figure in Gerrard's plans there either.
El Ghazi recalled: “In the first training session under Gerrard, he was trying to explain with his assistant manager on the pitch how he likes to play. A lot of thoughts were already in my head. I knew I had to get ready to not be wanted.
“I was trying to adapt to the way that he plays, and of course I can do it, but naturally, I am a winger. I like to stay wide, put crosses in, get into one-v-one situations and then maybe come inside. But he wanted you to start inside. It was different. That’s what I struggled with and I think Bertrand Traore and Trezeguet (other wingers Villa moved on) did, too.”
El Ghazi secured a move to PSV Eindhoven on August 31 and has settled into life back in Holland well, but it is apparent that his fondness for England remains and made no attempt to hid his desire to return one day.
He added: “I really loved England. I made some great friends and when I went back… when I was on English soil again in the Europa League, it was like I was back home. I miss it a lot and yes, I miss Villa, but I’m glad to be here (at PSV) now. “I’d love to (return to England). I would definitely do it. That’s no secret.”
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