‘Got to step up’…Troy Deeney says Everton player who joined in 2023 hasn’t delivered this season

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Everton head to the South Coast this weekend to take on Brighton and Hove Albion as Sean Dyche’s side go in search of their first win of 2024.

The Toffees are coming off a disappointing 1-1 home draw against Crystal Palace, which pulled them out of the bottom three.

Roberto De Zerbi’s side registered an emphatic 5-0 win over Sheffield United after Mason Holgate’s first-half red card for the Blades.

Ahead of the fixture at the Amex, Troy Deeney has had his say on some of Everton’s underperforming players.

Deeney shares honest Arnaut Danjuma verdict

Talking live on talkSPORT’s White and Jordan show, the former Watford striker believes Everton’s off-the-field issues shouldn’t impact the players’ performances.

“It shouldn’t [points appeal play on players’ minds],” he said.

“Either way, they’ve got to win the game. The simplistic beauty of it is to go out and do your job. I believe they have to work off the worst-case scenario: this is where we are, and this is what we must do.

“I think Sean Dyche is doing a good job of protecting his players now. It’s probably something I should have done myself.”

Deeney pinpointed Arnaud Danjuma’s performances and suggested the Dutchman needs to step up.

“They’re a very good team; why do we keep seeing them in this situation? I know there’s been a lot of nonsense off the field, but as players, we need to step up,” he added.

“Dominic Calvert-Lewin has got to do more. Douc (Doucoure) has to keep doing what he’s doing, and the wide boys have to step up.

“They’ve brought in Danjuma, and he’s not really delivered. I’d like to see them go and attack teams more.

“It will be an interesting game over the weekend.”

Deeney is right about Danjuma. The winger needs to step up. Injury has taken a toll, but five Premier League starts isn’t what Evertonians were expected from the former Villareal winger.

With Everton struggling for goals, it’s up to one of Dyche’s underperforming attacking players to grab the initiative and pull the Toffees away from the bottom three.

It’s hard to pinpoint who will be Everton’s saving grace.