Gerard: I’m no Messi

HYPE: Deulofeu GERARD DEULOFEU has vowed never to go back to Barcelona – because he couldn’t handle being dubbed “the new Messi”.

Watford’s £13m winger opened his account for the season with a spectacular goal against Huddersfield on Saturday after an injury-hit start.

Deulofeu, who was part of a three-pronged strike force with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez in some games last season, is relieved to have left great expectations at the Nou Camp behind.

Between stints at Sevilla and Everton, Deulofeu, 24, never consistently produced his best for the Catalan giants.

He told the Offside Rule Exclusives podcast: “That was difficult. When I was young it was terrible, every day in the media you are the ‘new Messi’, and that’s not good for a young player.

“I’m a former Barcelona player, but maybe my style is more similar to the one of a Real Madrid or Manchester City player.

“I didn’t take the chance of staying at Barcelona because playing there is so difficult and sometimes I didn’t have the chance, the confidence of Barcelona.

“But now I’m here at Watford, I’m still young and the coach is tough in my case. He is always trying to get the best out of me.

“I said I will not come back to Barcelona. We tried two times, and if those two times doesn’t work, I don’t want to try three times... it’s too hard.

“I had been at Barcelona since I was nine years old, but sometimes you don’t feel hope. My best football is in the Premier League and Watford put a lot of confidence in me.”

Watford go to Newcastle tomorrow in search of a third consecutive win.