Everton’s Premier League season did not start well, but they have now stabilised. With five points in their previous three games and a very favorable series of fixtures ahead of them, Everton boss Sean Dyche will rightfully believe they can finally build upwards. If they are to do so, he will require an improvement in form from many of his top players, with talents such as James Tarkowski and Jordan Pickford underperforming compared to the previous season. Their defence has been alarmingly vulnerable following a strong previous year, with the final encounter proving to be their first clean sheet in the Premier League this season.
Meanwhile, one man is carrying most of the onslaught. Sean Dyche recalls a confidential Dwight McNeil conversation. Dwight McNeil’s signing for £20 million during Frank Lampard’s era was unassuming. After all, he had rarely demonstrated himself as a consistent creative or scoring threat, which was deemed to be disallowed by Burnley’s pragmatic style of play. However, with that same manager having now unleashed his actual attacking talent to jumpstart this season, such a perception has been proven false.
Dyche, however, still wants more from the guy he has cultivated, as he told the Liverpool ECHO: ‘It is still something I speak with him about, the principles of what he does. Not just the play, but you as a professional; how are you dealing with setbacks, and what image do you project on the football pitch?When you look at the true great players throughout the world, it is quite unusual that they become affected on the football field. So I’ve been communicating with him about it. If it doesn’t work, if it doesn’t happen, you still do what the team needs, and you continue to play a role in what the team requires and adapts to.
Fabrizio Romano stated that Everton is pleased with McNeil’s growth, and it’s simple to see why. Everton is so reliant on Dwight McNeil this season. As previously stated, this Everton club has already come to rely on McNeil’s tangible attacking exploits. That is, despite Iliman Ndiaye stealing the hearts of his new fans with antics and skills that have not been seen at Goodison Park in years. However, with only one Premier League goal so far, his productivity pales in comparison to McNeil’s three goals and two assists. e through him, in a new number 10 role.
In a new number 10 role, the winger leads Everton in goals, assists, and chances created, with the latter stat putting him in contention for first place in the division. It’s even more surprising to realize that McNeil has played a role in 71% of his team’s Premier League goals this season, whether scoring or assisting. Firing screamers and setting up his teammates, he hopes that when a full-strength side returns after a much-needed international break, they will be able to match his levels and go up the table.
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