Ian Wright says it’s ‘not quite happened’ for Dwight McNeil at Everton as Frank Lampard’s side suffered a new low during the latest round of Premier League action.
There were planned protests before and after Everton’s home clash against fellow relegation strugglers Southampton on Saturday, so the heat was already on the players before they could enter the pressure cooker environment of the Goodison Park pitch.
And despite opening the scoring, it was yet another defeat for Lampard’s men, who are sitting 19th in the Premier League table and in a world of trouble, both on and off the field.
Amongst many, many issues at the club, one constant problem has been transfers and pouring it all down the drain.
Well, one deal during the summer isn’t exactly going to plan because Everton’s £20 million transfer of McNeil from relegated Burnley (BBC Sport) is proving to be costly.
Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright touched upon the player and what’s ‘confusing’ him when he is watching Everton in action, as he told the Kelly and Wrighty Show on Premier League Productions (16/01/23 at 2:55 pm).
“What I was really confused to not see from them is that when you look at Ancelotti’s time involved,” said Wright.
“The way that they passed the ball, got the ball to the wings quick and Dominic Calvert-Lewin was that, when you talk about Simeone about the one-touch finishing, they’ve not done anything to try and replicate that type of football at Goodison Park.
“Now it’s poor through the midfield. If Demarai Gray isn’t doing it, then you’re not seeing it. It’s not quite happened for Dwight McNeil.
“We aren’t seeing the creativity and everything that’s meant to come through that midfield.”
MCNEIL SIGNING A MISTAKE
It has to be questioned, what were Everton expecting from McNeil? During his career, the 23-year-old hasn’t proved to be that goal threat, nor someone who can constantly feed you chances.
Yes, he has scored some great goals in his career, including a brilliant curling effort when he was in Burnley colours against Everton.
But, overall, he has nine goals and 18 assists from 151 Premier League matches, those are numbers a defensive-minded player would hit during their careers.
It was a signing, when it was first made, that raised eyebrows and it was even more baffling that they put £20 million down on the table for the player, especially after the club’s previous transfer woes.
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