…I find this excuse amusing. if you watch Maupay ‘drop deep’ for Everton he actually labours to then get in the box because he can’t keep up with play. Have a look how often we get the ball wide and see him floundering.
Also, a 2nd striker doesn’t only play off the no9. During a game the ball will often be played into them, Maupay can’t cope with passes played into him. A 2nd striker will have to work the channels, Maupay has no pace or physicality to worry defenders when the ball is played in behind. A 2nd striker is usually sharp when the ball falls to him in the box, Maupay isn’t.
It doesn’t matter if Brighton are a passing team, it doesn’t matter if you’re a loan striker or a ‘2nd striker’, a forward has to have a basic skill set. Maupay has not in the least demonstrated a basic skill set at Everton. The fact he looks sharper this season is not something he should be credited with, his condition last season is something he should be ashamed of.
There are no excuses for Maupay’s performance levels at Everton.