Chris Sutton feels sorry for Everton striker Neal Maupay, whose confidence is “shot to pieces” after the loss against Fulham.
The striker started and played 72 minutes for the Toffees as they lost 1-0 to Fulham in their Premier League opener on Saturday (12 August).
Maupay had several chances to score for the home side, who registered 19 shots compared to nine from the visitors [Sky Sports, 12 August].
“Maupay, I mean I’ve been there myself, his confidence is shot to pieces,” Sutton said live on The Monday Night Club on BBC 5 Live Sport. “You know, it really is. I feel sorry for him.
“He hesitates, he doesn’t have faith in his ability, scored a few goals at Brighton and has gone to Everton and it hasn’t worked out. I’m sure Dyche doesn’t really want to play him, but he hasn’t got many options.”
It really hasn’t worked out at all for Maupay at Everton since his move from fellow Premier League club Brighton last summer.
He wasn’t exactly scoring goals every week for the Seagulls, but he did at least show that he knows how to find the back of the net.
That hasn’t been the case at Everton, with the 27-year-old scoring just once for the Merseyside club in 30 appearances so far.
With Dominic Calvert-Lewin still out injured and new arrival Youssef Chermiti not quite ready to play, it was a fantastic opportunity for Maupay to prove his worth to his manager and indeed the home supporters.
But it seemed that his lack of confidence came out on top, with the striker failing to find the back of the net against the Cottagers despite the chances that fell his way.
It may now be that he has played his way out of Dyche’s starting XI for the next Premier League match against Aston Villa.