Demarai Gray has revealed he enjoyed his time working under Rafa Benitez and remains grateful to the Spaniard for providing him with the opportunity to become a 'valued member' of the Everton squad.
The Blues recruited the 26-year-old as part of a £1.7million deal last summer and instantaneously reaped the rewards of this purchase after the winger produced a return of three goals in his opening four Premier League appearances for the club.
Gray's attacking output tailed off as the campaign progressed, though the Birmingham City academy graduate did produce a vitally important late winner in a 2-1 victory over Arsenal to end an eight-game run without a league triumph.
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Benitez's Goodison Park tenure came to an end one month on from that victory, much to the delight of many supporters. Offering his view on operating under the stewardship of the ex-Liverpool boss, the Blues' No.11 told The Athletic : “I understand people might have had mixed emotions. But I’m grateful for him. He had faith in me, he wanted me at the club, he made that clear and I think for any player, first and foremost, it’s who you’re playing for and what the manager wants and thinks of you.
“I enjoyed my time with him. He is a good guy… loves to talk! He’s a passionate man. I played some of my best football under him. He gave me a sense of freedom and made me feel a valuable member of the squad. That was important for someone like me and the way I am as a player."
Everton's Premier League struggles continued even after the dismissal of Benitez and subsequent arrival of Frank Lampard, placing the first-team squad under immense pressure to avoid relegation.
This aim was eventually achieved courtesy of a dramatic turnaround at home to Crystal Palace, ending weeks of tension that had been brewing as a result of poor performances.
“We fought with each other a lot towards the end of the season,” Gray revealed. “It never got to the physical point. People would step in before that. Just vocals and getting at one another. You need that. It’s important. I always laugh after. Seamus (Coleman) is the peacemaker — lovely guy but he’ll tell you how it is. Dom (Calvert-Lewin) had one. You don’t mess with Yerry (Mina),"
“I remember one time Yerry had a little pop at Anthony (Gordon). You see how Anthony plays, he’s fiery, so he’ll give it back and I had to separate it on the pitch. But we laugh about it later.”
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