Demarai Gray believes Everton were crying out for a focal point to lead their attack ahead of Neal Maupay’s arrival and explained the mentality change within the squad this season.
After months of speculation, the Blues eventually secured the services of Maupay from Brighton last month. However, the move came four games into Everton’s season.
Following the sale of Richarlison during the summer, and the injury picked up to Dominic Calvert-Lewin on the eve of the new season, Frank Lampard’s side were forced to kick-off their campaign with Anthony Gordon leading the line against Chelsea.
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However, the arrival of Maupay, for an undisclosed fee, has given the Blues a much-needed lift, with the forward scoring his first goal for his new club in Sunday’s 1-0 win over West Ham United at Goodison Park. And Gray believes everyone who watched the side in action ahead of Maupay’s arrival could see they were crying out for a forward.
He said: “I think it's kind of evident we needed a No.9. Everyone's delighted with how Neal's come in and joined the squad. It's a good confidence boost for him.
“His attitude suits the club and he's been great since he's come in. It's massive for the squad collectively and to have him on the pitch and that focal point for us is good for the team.”
The arrivals of Conor Coady and James Tarkowski have also made a huge difference for the Blues. Back-to-back clean sheets mean they have conceded just six goals in seven matches – the joint second-best total in the Premier League.
“They have been brilliant since they have come in,” Gray replied when asked about the centre-back pair. They have experience and a real defender mentality and they are leaders as well, which is key for us. As an attacker it is nice to have that solid base behind me.
“It’s a long season and we are going to have ups and downs but you have that sense that although things might not be going too well we still have the attitude and mentality in the side that we will be strong and together. You can see in some of the results this season we should have won some and we have had to grind out some games and get draws.”
Everton last season stayed up by the skin of their teeth, securing their place in this season’s top-flight in their penultimate game of the campaign. However, things are looking a lot brighter for the Blues this time round with Gray of the belief that there has been a change in his side's mentality.
“I think so. Obviously it's a long season and we're going to have ups and downs,” he replied when asked if there had been a mentality change at the club.
“You get that kind of sense where things might not be going too well, we've still got that attitude and mentality in the side to be strong and be together.
“You can see it in some of the results this season. We should have won some and we've had to grind out some games and get draws. It's massive for the team and mentality is a key part of the squad as well so it's good.”
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