Everton’s pre-season is well and truly underway, and Sean Dyche will be striving to lay the groundwork for a season more successful than the last.
Sean Dyche can be a tough taskmaster, and the Everton squad will be working hard to reach his expected fitness standards ahead of the new campaign. According to centre-back Michael Keane, no one is doing more at this stage to impress than Neal Maupay.
As quoted by The Athletic, Keane said, “Neal (Maupay) has come back really fit. I think he’s put a lot of work in over the summer and he’s winning the running. It’s hard as a player but, come the first game of the season, you really feel the benefits.”
Maupay will be desperate to turn things around at Goodison Park for himself personally this season.
Things can only get better for Neal Maupay
Maupay joined Everton in a deal worth £15 million from Brighton last summer. The French striker went on to endure a torrid first campaign with the Toffees. The 26-year-old only managed one goal Premier League across 27 outings.
Iconic former Premier League forward Alan Shearer even went as far as to brand Maupay’s profligacy in front of goal as “embarrassing”, as quoted by Yahoo Sport. Things couldn’t really have gone much worse for the former France under-21 international since his move.
Dyche needs a far greater return from Maupay this time around. The Merseyside club are actively trying to bolster their attack this summer, but they also need their current forwards to become more proficient if they are to avoid relegation again.
By proving his excellent fitness levels and willingness to work in pre-season, Maupay has taken an important first step towards turning things around at Everton.