Maupay in but Everton still need more forwards before window shuts

Neal Maupay has become an Everton player as the club confirmed last night that the 26-year-old Frenchman has signed for the Blues.

Maupay becomes the sixth signing of the summer transfer window so far and gives Everton boss Frank Lampard a much-needed additional goal threat upfront.

However, the former Brighton striker wasn’t registered in time for today’s clash at Brentford. And so, the Toffees’ will have to field the same forwards who have managed a solitary goal between them in the Premier League since the start of the season.

If Everton lose this afternoon (which I think is a very distinct possibility) then they will be firmly rooted in the relegation places facing a string of difficult fixtures coming up against Leeds, Liverpool and table-toppers Arsenal.

While I don’t want to always be overly pessimistic, it’s not impossible to imagine they will still have only one or two points by the end of this run of matches.

I sincely hope not because if the Blues’ can’t pick up at least one win and perhaps a draw from these next four games, including today, then things will look very bleak indeed.

That is why the next few days are so important for the outcome of this campaign.

Maupay’s signing is a decent and solid addition. He offers goals (although not a lot of them) and brings Premier League experience, pace, a good work ethic and a strong mentality.

I really do hope he can hit the ground running and deliver some end product for a team in desperate need of it.

But, let’s be honest he’s obviously not an established 20 goal a season striker and of course he wouldn’t be joining Everton if he was!

So, Maupay’s going to need some help and that means the Toffees’ have to bring in at least one more forward before the window shuts.

There continune to be constant rumours and stories of this player and that still on Everton’s radar and it does seem as though more business may well happen before Thursday.

Looking at their options, I think the Blues’ have to consider taking a punt on a talented young forward such as Ben Brereton-Diaz.

The Blackburn man isn’t an established top flight player it’s true, but he’s the right age at 23, hungry to succeed and wants a chance in the Premier League.

He’s a versatile forward who can play in several positions up front and would give Lampard the chance to operate a much more fluid and interchangable forward line.

This is something I think is crucial if this team is going to improve and become more competitive in today’s Premier League.

It would also reduce the dependency on Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who’s injury problems are becoming alarming, and whose long-term commitment to the club is anyway I think questionable.

In addition, Brereton-Diaz is an established international with his adopted Chile and he’s played in the South American championship and World Cup qualifiers scoring several goals. That indicates he has genuine ability and maturity.

It seems to me this is exactly the sort of young player Everton should be very seriously looking at.

If their interest in the Blackburn star is genuine though the Toffees’ face competition for him from several European clubs so that may well push up the price for the player.

There are other young forwards who have been persistently linked with the Blues’ so it’s hard to know who, if any, of these players are really in the club’s thinking.

It may also all come down to finances and whether Everton do decide to let Anthony Gordon go to Chelsea, assuming that possible transfer is genuine.

If that deal happened soon, would give Lampard and co significant funds to spend in the last few days of the window.

Whatever the ins and outs, I just hope that the club does manage to get another forward because even with Maupay’s addition, I still don’t think there will be enough goals in this team.