Neville Southall impressed by Andros Townsend and Demarai Gray
Andros Townsend and Demarai Gray have both hit the ground running since joining Everton, and they have impressed Neville Southall.
The 30-year-old joined the Toffees for free after he was released by Crystal Palace in the summer, reuniting with Rafa Benitez after their brief time working together at Newcastle United.
Everton parted with £1.7million for Gray, 25, and the former Leicester City has bagged three goals and an assist in seven Premier League games so far.
Townsend has three goals and two assists in seven, and Southall loves what he has seen so far from the duo.
The Blues legend told Liverpool Echo: “Two people who have come in to work hard, that’s what you want from players, isn’t it?
“That’s the idea. If people have got talent but don’t use that talent through hard work, it’s stupid. These two have come in, and they’ve set their stall out. It’s been a joy to watch.
“Money-wise, it’s cheap, but I think what they’ve brought to the club is invaluable. What price would they be now to Everton? They might not be that much to anyone else, but to Everton, you can’t put a price on it really.
“They’ve come with the right attitude. It looks like they’ve been given the chances, the manager trusts them.”
Top players
Nobody could have predicted the brilliant start the duo have had since joining Everton, and they have been massive additions to the squad.
With Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin out injured of recent, Gray and Townsend have stepped up, playing huge roles in the 3-0 win over Norwich City and 1-1 draw against Manchester United.
The latter’s equaliser at Old Trafford would have left Red Devils fans jealous.
Gray and Abdoulaye Doucoure combined to supply the former Tottenham Hotspur man with the assist, and the amount spent of the trio and the other eight on the pitch is less than what Man Utd spent on the players on their bench for the game.
Having been forced to spend very little in the summer transfer window, Everton have made the most of a difficult situation, making some shrewd signings.
They are looking to finish in the top-six this term, and anything is possible with his group of players and manager.
In other Everton news, Benitez has asked Toffees star with UEFA coaching badge to mentor Gordon – report.
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