Gerard Deulofeu says he left Barcelona for Everton because he did not want to sit on the bench for the rest of his career.
Deulofeu, 21, signed for Everton this summer having initially spent the first half of the 2013-14 campaign on loan at Goodison Park from Barca.
The La Masia youth graduate went on loan to Sevilla last season due to strong competition for places in Barca's front line, but decided to make a permanent switch to Everton after Roberto Martinez retained his long-standing interest in the forward.
Barca could soon face selection problems up front with Lionel Messi out with a knee injury and a doubt for El Clasico on Nov. 21, while FIFA is analysing a claim from Santos regarding irregularities over Neymar's transfer to Barcelona two years ago, with the Brazilian side seeking a six-month suspension for the Selecao captain.
But Deulofeu told The Guardian: "There is life beyond Barcelona. Others might [constantly look back at Barcelona], but that's not my case. I want to have my career, not sit on the bench. I want to work hard, to push myself. I want to play."
Deulofeu was inconsistent for Sevilla last season as Unai Emery's side won a second successive Europa League title, and is eager for more game time at Goodison Park.
"I felt my work at Sevilla deserved more minutes, not to be left out," he said. "But I've now come back to the ideal place. When I went to Everton before I only started 10 or 11 games but it was a really good year. I learned. I had no doubts about going back.
"Roberto's always had faith in me. When family and friends go to Everton they tell me that there's a moment when I get the ball and fans get to their feet in anticipation."
Despite Real Madrid and Barcelona signing some of the Premier League's top players in recent years, Deulofeu says the English top flight is still one of the best divisions in the world and that Everton's style under coach Martinez would suit La Liga.
"England's very different," he said. "I was at Barcelona for 10 years and it's another world. We had 65, 70 percent possession most weeks -- we always had the ball to the point where it wasn't necessary for me to defend. Then you leave, play somewhere else and realise you have to.
"Of course I'd like 65 percent possession but that's impossible and [anyway] I like counterattacking football: the Premier League's end to end, almost every team plays that way, and I love that.
"Maybe the world's best players are in La Liga but... I really like the Premier. The first year was difficult because I'd never experienced anything like it, but I love it. I feel at home: I'm a good fit.
"Everton's a historic club, really English, and it's vital to keep that identity, but we're not so English in style: we could play in Spain. Roberto gives us the confidence to play."
Deulofeu impressed recently for the Toffees as he provided two assists for Romelu Lukaku in a 3-2 win at West Brom on Sept. 28, and feels he can strike up a strong partnership with the Belgium international.
"When I'm attacking I can take people on, cross, move," he said. "The main thing is to stay wide, opening the pitch. That's where we'll do most damage, especially with Rom [Lukaku]. He's an animal. I can play a wall pass off him, give him crosses. He's going to get assists from me and score lots of goals."
The young forward is confident of success with Everton's young squad, adding: "I'm convinced [something is building at Everton]. We're young, growing together. Players like John Stones, Lukaku, [Ross] Barkley, [James] McCarthy -- good players, competitive players, young players backed by experience with Phil Jagielka, Gareth Barry, Leighton Baines, Tim Howard. Europe is the objective, for now."