Neal Maupay in line for Everton recall after confirmed pre-Leeds news
Everton boss Sean Dyche must recall Neal Maupay for this weekend’s crunch clash against Leeds United.
As quoted by Sky Sports (16 February), Dyche has confirmed Dominic Calvert-Lewin is set to miss Saturday’s mammoth clash against fellow strugglers Leeds.
This leaves the Toffees boss with two options, continue with the inexperienced Ellis Simms, or recall the much-maligned Maupay.
The obvious move is to bring in the former Brighton man despite his struggles this season.
Seeing Simms’ name in the starting XI for Monday’s (13 February) Merseyside derby came as a surprise to many.
The decision to drop Maupay did not.
The former Brighton man’s only goal for Everton came against West Ham on 18 September, 13 goalless league appearances have followed. However, we are talking about a player who has hit a minimum of eight Premier League goals in his three seasons with the Seagulls.
In fairness, he did see diminishing returns while at the Amex, scoring 10 in his first season and eight in the following campaigns.
Maupay has struggled during his first months at Goodison Park but we know he can be a useful Premier League operator.
He was a vital part of Graham Potter’s Brighton side as they moved from being newly promoted to a solid top 10 side.
He knows how to score in this league and this weekend Leeds United are bringing the third-worst defence in the league this season.
Only Southampton and Bournemouth have conceded more than the 38 goals Leeds have conceded in just 22 league games this season.
Simms looks a talent but was completely lost against Liverpool, admittedly, a baptism of fire. His time will come but Everton need goals now and Maupay gives Dyche the best chance of getting them.
The bigger issue here is that Dyche is having to choose between Maupay and a kid who has spent the first half of the season playing in League One.
But with the transfer window closed, Dyche only has one clear option. He must recall Maupay for this Leeds game.