BBC journalist moots rejuvenated career for Neal Maupay after ‘no-brainer’ Everton exit
It was a “no-brainer” for Neal Maupay to leave Everton for Brentford in the summer transfer window, according to BBC Radio London’s Phil Parry.
The striker left Goodison Park on deadline day to join the Bees on a season-long loan, as per the official Everton website (1 September).
The loan for the player, who joined the Toffees from Brighton last summer, includes an option to be made permanent.
“The arrival of Neal Maupay back at Brentford on deadline day was certainly greeted positively by supporters and it’s a deal which appears to be a ‘no-brainer’ from all sides,” said Parry, as quoted by BBC Sport.
“The player needed to get out of Everton to rejuvenate his career and has returned to a club where the affection in which he is held, and the coaching scenario, should give him the platform to rediscover the form which led to his exit from West London.
“From the Bees’ perspective, they have added experience and desire to their attacking line, which has made a solid start to the season but is of course without Ivan Toney for another four months.
“Maupay is not the same type of player as the suspended England striker and arrives off the back of a difficult couple of years. But he’ll add guile, bite and hunger which should complement what was already in the group.”
Smart move?
Maupay was clearly struggling at Everton, with the striker failing to live up to his reputation after impressing at Brentford and then Brighton.
He scored 41 goals for the former and 27 for the latter, but found the back of the net just once from 32 Toffees appearances.
The forward was certainly given a chance at the Merseyside club, mainly due to the constant injury struggles for number one striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
But the Frenchman failed to impress, and may not have the chance to ever again if the Bees make his transfer permanent.
That will, of course, depend on how he gets on at a club that he knows very well, having made almost 100 appearances for them across a two-year spell.
Minutes should arrive given the absence of main man Ivan Toney, although fellow forward Bryan Mbuemo has filled that gap superbly in the early stages of the new season.
In other Everton news, a pundit has shared an “almost faultless” verdict on one Toffees ace amid the international break.