“Allez Les Bleus” - Neal Maupay has become the latest Frenchman to join Everton but going back almost 25 years ago, there was still a great deal of intrigue over a Gallic recruit at Goodison Park when Howard Kendall snapped up Mickael Madar. Known for his fiery temper and nicknamed “Mad Mick”, the Parisian striker was labelled “The new Cantona” when he signed for Everton in December 1997 but unfortunately he was unable to replicate his compatriot’s successes at Manchester United for the Blues.
Everton’s interest in Madar was reported in the ECHO as early as August 9, 1997 when it became known that the Deportivo La Coruna player would be available on a free transfer. However, he didn’t actually sign for the Blues until midway through what proved to be a fraught campaign on December 30.
Writing in his ECHO column, David Prentice warned that Kendall’s famous team-building method could be put to the test with the headline: “Howard’s Chinese ways must change!” Prentice remarked how the Blues boss’ fondness for treating his squad to Chinese meals was well known but Madar probably wouldn’t appreciate an invite to the team spirit building get-togethers.
