Neal Maupay isn’t Sean Dyche’s cup of tea but it’s all hands to the pump for Everton

by   |   01/03/2023  0 Comments  [Jump to last]

Irrespective of what league the Toffees find themselves in next season, it looks increasingly likely that Neal Maupay won’t be included in Sean Dyche’s plans going forward. Everton fans only need to look back on the substitutions made against Liverpool at Anfield with the Blues chasing the game to better understand Dyche’s lack of faith in the 26-year-old.

Indeed, with Ellis Simms toiling against the Reds' defence, Dyche snubbed the only other recognized striker who was Maupay, and instead turned to Demarai Gray to lead the line despite being a winger by trade. 

If not now, then when?

This was the clearest indication yet that Maupay might not be what Dyche is looking for and with the trapdoor to the Championship creaking loudly under Everton’s weight, you would have to conclude that the club’s manager is happy to take his chances without the Frenchman.

After all, if Dyche isn’t going to use the former Brighton striker now with the club as of mid-February, having scored the fewest goals in the league, then when is he ever? 

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In many respects, the lack of creativity and end product in the final third is one of the key reasons why the Toffees are at just 6/4 to go down in May. Of course, with only a handful of points separating five teams at the bottom of the table, it’s fair to say that most of the Premier League bets made on relegation will be done closer to Easter. The fact that it is so bunched up at the foot of the table should be encouraging news for Everton fans when you consider that there is still a significant amount of time to pull well clear of danger.

To do this, however, Dyche is going to need to use everyone at the football club in a bid to scrape together the points needed to preserve Everton’s Premier League status. This obviously includes Maupay who with 27 career Premier League goals to his name, could still provide an invaluable outlet for the team.

What's the worst that could happen?

Granted, the diminutive Frenchman may not fit Dyche’s description as an imposing target man but Maupay’s intelligent runs and deft touches around the box are a weapon that the Toffees can utilize whilst the forward is still contracted to the club. 

Perhaps the solution may come out wide in an effort to replace Anthony Gordon who signed for Newcastle in January. Gordon’s industrious work on the left wing was a constant cause for concern for the opposition and without it, the Blues look toothless.

Ultimately, could it hurt to use Maupay in that role, even if only from the bench to add energy to the attack towards the end of the game?

The reality is that Dyche isn’t necessarily in a position where he can be too rigid in sticking to his philosophies given that it is all about horses for courses in an effort to help the Blues gallop to safety.

Yes, the time will come when Dyche is given a blank canvas on which to build his ideal team but for now, every member of the squad he has inherited can offer something unique that will assist in the fight to stave off relegation.

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