Everton surprise over Dwight McNeil exit news as ex-scout reacts
Dwight McNeil has been linked with an Everton exit in recent weeks.
McNeil has been underused at Everton this season, with the likes of Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye preferred in the starting XI.
Even summer signing Tyler Dibling has featured more regularly at Everton, although he has also struggled for minutes in his first Hill Dickinson Stadium campaign.
McNeil looked destined to leave Everton, but has recently featured more regularly as injury concerns and AFCON commitments have left the Blues’ squad light.
Links away from Merseyside for McNeil have come as a surprise, with a month still remaining in the January transfer window.
Bryan King surprised by Dwight McNeil exit links
The Englishman looked destined to leave the Toffees this winter at one point after a hugely quiet campaign for the wideman.
McNeil’s showing for Everton against Nottingham Forest could prove to be the turning point of his season.
The Blues secured a 2-0 win away at the City Ground, with the 26-year-old playing a key role across his second 90 minutes in as many games.
He has proven his value to the squad, leading former Everton scout Bryan King to question why he is even being linked with an exit.
Speaking exclusively to Goodison News, King said: “It all revolves around the injury situation at the club.
“There’s no point letting him go if he’s covering for someone else. He’s performing to a standard, so you have to keep him at Everton for now.
“They’ll be thinking about maybe qualifying for Europe this year, and if they do that, they need to keep hold of their players and keep that squad as strong as they can.
“They won’t sell McNeil. What’s the point? Why sell your squad players?
“At this moment, he’s essential to the squad situation at this stage of the season.“
How did McNeil perform vs Nottingham Forest?
The ex-Burnley man certainly put in a positive shift against the Reds that could ultimately save his Everton career.
McNeil bagged an assist as James Garner scored the opener, as he created two chances on the night and also took aim with two shots.
David Moyes would have appreciated his six defensive actions, something that was helped by four successful ground duels in the East Midlands.
It will be interesting to see what happens across the rest of the January window and where his future will lie after the early signs of an Everton remontada.
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