Danny Murphy slams ‘coward’ Demarai Gray as Everton exit news emerges
Danny Murphy has slammed Demarai Gray for his recent behaviour after he completed his move from Everton to Al-Ettifaq.
Speaking on talkSPORT on 6 September, the pundit said the Jamaican international took the “coward’s way out” after he criticised Toffees boss Sean Dyche in a social media post on 3 September.
The 27-year-old’s move to the Saudi side was confirmed on 7 September, with the Blues receiving £8million for the forward following weeks of speculation around his future.
“That is a sign of the times and I think it’s sad,” said Murphy. “I think there’s something to be said about being able to confront people and have debates – you grow from it.
“You’ve got to show some character. Does it have to be accepted? I mean yes because it happens. But I think it’s a coward’s way out to put anything on social media that’s derogatory to your manager or your club.”
Got a point
This is a saga that has gone on for the best part of the past couple of months and there’s no doubt that it’s probably had a negative impact on the Everton squad.
The way things have played out so publically over the past few days hasn’t been pretty and Murphy is right that Gray was wrong to air his grievances on social media.
Dyche seems like the kind of person that you can sit down with and you will be listened to, even if he does share a difference in opinion.
The crucial point is that Gray held a contract with the Blues and they had the right to decide whether or not he was going to play and if he was going to be allowed to leave.
The matter has now come to a close after his exit was finally agreed, so the club can look to move forward in the hope that matters on the field will improve over the coming weeks.
In other Everton news, Jim White has mooted a “failure in management” around the Gray transfer.