Alious
Everton’s Premier League campaign got off to a rocky start, but they’ve since shown signs of improvement. With five points from their last three matches and a favorable run of fixtures ahead, manager Sean Dyche has reason to believe his team can build on this momentum and climb up the table.
However, for Everton to truly progress, Dyche will need several key players to step up their game. Stars like James Tarkowski and Jordan Pickford haven’t been performing at the same level as last season. The team’s defense, which was solid in the previous campaign, has been uncharacteristically vulnerable this term. It wasn’t until their most recent match that they managed to keep their first clean sheet in the Premier League this season.
On the offensive front, Everton’s attack has been heavily reliant on one player in particular: Dwight McNeil. Signed for £20 million during Frank Lampard’s tenure, McNeil’s acquisition initially seemed unremarkable. He hadn’t consistently shown himself to be a major creative or goalscoring threat, with many attributing this to Burnley’s pragmatic style of play. However, under Dyche’s management, McNeil’s true attacking potential has been unleashed, disproving earlier assumptions about his capabilities.
Dyche, who previously worked with McNeil at Burnley, still sees room for improvement. In a conversation with the Liverpool ECHO, he emphasized the importance of McNeil’s mentality and on-field presence, drawing comparisons to elite players who remain unaffected by setbacks during matches. Dyche stressed the need for McNeil to consistently contribute to the team’s needs, even when things aren’t going his way.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has reported that Everton are pleased with McNeil’s progress, and it’s easy to see why. The winger has become a crucial part of Everton’s attack this season. Despite new signing Iliman Ndiaye impressing fans with his skillful play, it’s McNeil who’s been delivering in terms of output.
McNeil currently leads Everton in goals, assists, and chances created. In fact, he’s competing for the top spot in chance creation across the entire Premier League. His contribution to Everton’s attack is so significant that he’s had a hand in 71% of the team’s Premier League goals this season, either scoring or assisting.
The 23-year-old has been excelling in a new number ten role, showcasing his ability to both score spectacular goals and set up his teammates. As Everton returns from the international break, the hope is that a fully fit squad can match McNeil’s level of performance and help propel the team up the league table.
Alious
