Micah Richards was left unimpressed with Everton forward Neal Maupay following Saturday’s 3-1 defeat to Fulham, stating that the Frenchman was ‘not the right signing’ for the club.
Maupay arrived at Goodison Park in a £15m deal from Brighton & Hove Albion last summer as the Toffees looked to reinforce a muted attack, but the 26-year-old has managed just one goal in 22 Premier League games, while failing to register an assist.
Everton have struggled in front of goal all campaign, and Micah Richards believes that Maupay was ‘not the right signing’ for the club.
Writing for the MailOnline, Richards said: “I am worried about Everton. I know what Sean Dyche can do and it’s concerning to see that his message hasn’t been taken on by his players as quickly as it should have done.
A lack of goals is a huge issue. I like Neal Maupay as a footballer but he was not the right signing last summer to cure Everton’s striker problems. Burnley got relegated with 35 points last season — Everton currently have 27 and their final seven games are loaded with danger. It will be tight”
Maupay must find some semblance of form for Everton, or face relegating them
Indeed, Neal Maupay has looked off pace all season and missed a golden opportunity to put Everton in front against Fulham at the weekend, only to pay for his wastefulness.
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With the match all square at 1-1 as Everton fought back from an early goal down, the 26-year-old was put through one on one with Bernd Leno, only to hit a tame effort right at the German goalkeeper.
Had Everton taken the lead going into half-time, it could have been a very different outcome for Sean Dcyhe’s side, but as it stands the defeat simply means that the Blues stay out of the relegation zone solely on goal difference, and time is running out.