Calvert-Lewin responds to Neal Maupay’s message after controversial Everton exit
Neal Maupay was the first of several players to leave Everton this summer after a forgettable three-year period at Goodison Park.
David Moyes‘ squad for Everton’s opening Premier League fixture against Leeds United could be close to unrecognisable compared to recent seasons, as a huge swathe of Toffees players head for pastures new.
Everton had nine first-team players out of contract last month and a further five loanees set to return to their parent clubs, and only four of that 14-strong contingent have been retained ahead of next season.
Maupay‘s contract was also set to expire this summer after just one goal in two seasons with the Toffees, but Everton had already cut his time on Merseyside short with a season-long loan switch to Marseille.
Maupay sends Marseille message after Everton exit confirmed
Everton shelled out roughly £12million to sign Maupay from Brighton in August 2022, but were rewarded with a solitary goal in his first season, none at all in his second, and numerous off-field problems.
Maupay’s spell at Marseille has yielded four goals in 22 Ligue 1 matches so far, but the striker was at the centre of controversy once again when he mocked Everton’s defeat to Nottingham Forest in January.
Those remarks came while Maupay was still under contract with Everton, but that didn’t deter Marseille from signing him for a £3.4m fee after loan spell and he is now their player on a permanent basis.
The 28-year-old returned to Marseille for pre-season training this week and posted on Instagram (8 July) with the message of “We are back baby”; which was liked by fellow ex-Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Everton hope Thierno Barry will end striker curse
Football Insider Verdict
Maupay and Calvert-Lewin’s last few seasons for Everton have been unremarkable at best and increasingly frustrating at worst, as both attracted attention elsewhere despite their numerous injuries.
Calvert-Lewin’s recent departure came in the wake of a new contract offer by Everton despite just three goals in 22 matches before his final season was cut short by injury, and was the best move for all parties.
Everton are on the cusp of signing Thierno Barry from Villarreal in their first statement signing of the summer, and after the seemingly never-ending sagas of Maupay and Calvert-Lewin, Moyes will hope his new number nine can hit the ground running.