‘I am worried’: Everton’s transfer call on 22-year-old questioned by Scotland legend

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Ally McCoist has claimed that he is ‘worried’ for Everton and stated that he is ‘not sure’ they should have signed Dwight McNeil from Burnley, as he told talkSPORT.

The Scotland legend pointed out that he ‘really, really likes’ McNeil as a player, but he doesn’t think it’s what Everton needed ahead of the new Premier League season.

Well, the Toffees did lose Richarlison to Tottenham this summer and he scored six goals in his last nine games for the club to help keep them in England’s top-flight.

Whilst McNeil can’t play a central role like the Brazil star, he is versatile and has the ability to deploy either flank, it’s the Englishman’s end product that is up for big debate.

Nonetheless, when talking about the McNeil transfer, McCoist offered mixed messages on the player and expressed his worry for Frank Lampard’s side.

“Dwight McNeil at Everton, I like him, by the way,” said McCoist. “I am not sure it’s exactly what Everton need. But I really, really like him.

“I am a wee bit worried for Everton.”

MCNEIL’S GOALS AND ASSISTS…WELL A LACK OF THEM

Lampard could score goals in his sleep and those late runs into the box are probably something that is very hard to teach.

From a technical standpoint, McNeil is a sound player and can play off both feet, but he doesn’t have the pace, explosive nature to his game or final third quality to keep the opposition awake.

Last season, he supplied only one assist and failed to get on the scoresheet for relegated Burnley, Liverpool goalkeeper, Alisson Becker, produced the same numbers.

What’s perhaps even more embarrassing for Everton’s new capture is that Alisson was also the last player to score a goal between the two – his late header at West Brom.

Unless Everton have more attacking faces coming through, they are going to rely a significant amount on McNeil, therefore, Lampard will need to improve his quality in the final third because he simply can’t produce the above numbers for a club the size of the Merseyside giants.