Demarai Gray admits he needs to up his numbers to remain part of Everton’s attacking set-up.
The Birmingham-born player is currently preparing to make his international debut for Jamaica against the USA at Chicago’s Soldier Field (kick-off 2:30am UK time) on Sunday in the CONCACAF Gold Cup having acquired his Jamaican passport but he acknowledges the requirement to improve his goal output. Although Gray netted six goals in all competitions for Everton last season, he has failed to score from open play since the turn of the calendar year with both his strikes in 2023 to date having come from the penalty spot.
Gray’s drought since his spectacular equaliser at Manchester City on New Year’s Eve mirrors the barren patch he endured after another dramatic strike – his stoppage winner at home to Arsenal the previous December – when he then went another eight months without registering until newly-promoted Nottingham Forest’s visit to Goodison Park on August 20. He told evertonfc.com: “I need to keep improving and bring what I can to the club.
“Obviously, the season is done now and I’ve got internationals to focus on but after that, I want to come back in the best shape possible. That means mixing my qualities with what the manager requires from me and hopefully I can do that on a consistent basis, because being an attacker, you are expected to get goals and assists so I want to up my numbers.”
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Gray has found himself in and out of the side since Sean Dyche’s appointment as manager. He didn’t start any of the new Blues boss’ first five matches in charge but then had a run of seven straight games, the first six of which saw him deployed as a ‘false’ number nine before what was his only time he was picked in the starting line-up on the wing under the current regime at Crystal Palace. The 26-year-old was then back on the bench for the next five fixtures before Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s injury absence for the survival showdown against Bournemouth ensured Gray spearheaded the attack again.
Given that the play has reportedly been attracting interest from elsewhere with Fulham named as one of his potential suitors, Dyche might have a transfer dilemma over whether he retains his services this summer and Gray admits he was frustrated not to find the net against the Cherries as his side got the win they required to avoid a first relegation in 72 years. He said: “I think I trained pretty well throughout the week with Dom (Calvert-Lewin) being out.
“I wanted to make sure I could impress and put myself in line to play and, thank God, it did. Obviously in my performance, I should’ve scored, but I did my work and ran for the team.”
Gray has been capped by England at various age groups – netting eight goals in 26 games for their Under-21s – and earning a call-up to the senior squad from Gareth Southgate in 2018 but he’s now looking forward to getting started with ‘The Reggae Boyz’ have switched his allegiances. He said: “It's good to finally be here. I feel like it’s been a long time coming for me.
“I know a few of the boys here from playing against them, but I’ve played with Amari’i (Bell) and Leon (Bailey) before. They’ve helped me to settle in well and the vibes have been good.
“I’ve always had fans in my comments and messages, encouraging me to join the team. It’s been great to get it over the line and see the response and support.”
Explaining his Jamaican roots, with further group games against Trinidad and Tobago in St Louis’ CityPark and then Saint Kitts and Nevis at Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara to come, Gray added: “I was born in Birmingham and spent most of my life in Birmingham, but my grandparents were born in Jamaica. I spent a lot of time around there as a kid, and so I’ve been around the culture all my life.
“Representing Jamaica now, obviously it’s a proud moment for them. With where I’m at in my career and the things I want to achieve – I feel like I can do that here with Jamaica. It’s a good start being at the Gold Cup. It’s something to achieve and to try to win.”
