Dwight McNeil’s ex-teammate speaks out on Everton saga – ‘Some things are best kept private’
Although Everton had a quiet winter transfer window, Dwight McNeil had a very eventful deadline day.
McNeil’s £20million move to Crystal Palace was called off after the Eagles failed to submit the relevant paperwork on time for the player’s transfer.
McNeil’s partner then posted a response on social media claiming that they were handed empty promises by the London outfit, and that they had been “dragged through an emotional rollercoaster.”
David Moyes hasn’t placed much trust in the 26-year-old winger, and the Toffees felt they were getting a great deal from their Premier League rivals.
However, Crystal Palace’s decision to pull out of the move at the last minute has stirred up controversy, and McNeil’s former teammate, Ben Mee, shared his thoughts on the saga.
Ben Mee suggests Dwight McNeil and his partner could have acted differently
Mee and McNeil spent a total of four years playing together at Burnley under former Everton manager Sean Dyche between 2018 and 2022.
Speaking live on talkSPORT on 6 January, the defender revealed his thoughts on how McNeil’s partner reacted to the failed move.
He said: “I’ve not spoken to Dwight, but I considered giving him a call. I wondered what he was playing at, what he was doing.”
| Stat | McNeil |
| Appearances | 14 |
| Goals | 0 |
| Assists | 1 |
| Pass accuracy | 81.4% |
| Chances created | 8 |
“I think some things are best kept private, and football’s a difficult world, but those things can happen.
“It’s just about being professional, but he’s a great lad. I hope he can get his head down, get on with his game, and have a really good end to the season.”
McNeil has struggled for Everton this campaign, starting just seven Premier League games, with the majority of those coming as a result of more favoured options being unavailable for selection.
It will take a lot for the wide player to wriggle his way back into Moyes’ plans, and who knows what the long-term future could hold for him now.
How will Dwight McNeil be remembered by Everton fans?
With his contract expiring in June 2027, a summer exit now looks likely if the Toffees want to earn any sort of transfer fee for him.
Moyes has previously praised McNeil’s attitude, and there’s no doubt that he has been a valuable asset for the Toffees since arriving in July 2022.
However, it’s now undeniable that the head coach doesn’t have faith in the winger to play a positive part in their push to qualify for European football.
| Stat | McNeil |
| Appearances | 240 |
| Goals | 21 |
| Assists | 33 |
| Minutes played | 18,509 |
McNeil’s last goal came in Everton’s 2-2 draw with Ipswich Town last May, and although that’s incredibly poor, he has had several memorable moments in L4.
He scored a stunning brace in a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace in September 2024, which helped the Toffees win their first game of the season.
In November 2023, the 26-year-old also scored the winning goal against Nottingham Forest in a 1-0 win at the City Ground to help lift Everton out of the relegation zone.
It’s clear that he is past his best, but once he does eventually leave, fans will likely unite in thanking him for some of his important contributions during a difficult era in the club’s history.