Dwight McNeil set for Everton exit as attitude problems mooted after huge transfer development
Dwight McNeil appears to be living on borrowed time at Everton at the moment.
The winger has gradually fallen out of favour on Merseyside, with the arrival of Jack Grealish seriously limiting any potential opportunities for him to come in and make an impression.
McNeil has made just two appearances for Everton in the Premier League so far this season, with one of those being a four-minute cameo in Grealish’s absence against Manchester City last weekend.
The squad has developed around the 25-year-old this summer, and his importance to David Moyes’ project looks unlikely to grow any time soon.
‘Good chance’ that Dwight McNeil will leave amid Nottingham Forest interest
McNeil’s situation at Everton has seen him linked with a move to Nottingham Forest in recent days, with Sean Dyche potentially about to link up with the Englishman at a third separate club.
The wideman’s position on Merseyside has come under scrutiny even more since the international break, which saw him turn out a concerning performance for the U21 side in the Vertu Trophy.
The Toffees’ youthful outfit were hammered 5-1 by League One side Bradford City, and McNeil was one of three senior stars who started the game.
- McNeil played 1371 minutes in the Premier League last season
- He has managed just 23 this time around
- His only first-team start of the campaign came in the Carabao Cup against Wolves
Ex-Everton scout Bryan King – speaking exclusively to Goodison News – believes that it is highly likely that McNeil will be sold this winter, amid the interest from his former boss.
“I think there’s a good chance that McNeil will move on in January,” King said.
“I know it was a young side who went to Bradford, but it was still made up with players who are on the verge of first-team football, and in his case, are first-teamers.
“When you go anywhere and concede five, the attitude has to come into it in a big way.”
- Read More: Dwight McNeil is finished at Everton as fresh transfer rumours emerge from Hill Dickinson Stadium
Nathan Patterson to be next out of the door at Everton
Nathan Patterson was another senior Everton star who was part of that woeful U21s display, and he could be set to follow McNeil out of the exit door in January.
The right-back is currently out injured, but evidently isn’t trusted by Moyes, as he is yet to make an appearance for the first team all season, despite the lack of depth in the defence.
Patterson nearly departed the club on loan in the summer, and that could easily materialise this time around, especially if Everton can quickly secure more cover on the right of the backline.
Moyes wasn’t even in charge of that heavy defeat to Bradford, and yet it may have told him everything that he needed to know about some members of his squad.
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