Graham Potter has explained how Neal Maupay made him a better coach in an admission that will be of interest to Frank Lampard.
The 26-year-old spent three years on the south coast, scoring 27 goals in 109 appearances, but has recently fallen out of favour as Potter continues to evolve his side. He hadn’t featured for the Seagulls in the opening weeks of the season and his dwindling status in the squad hierarchy forced a move away.
Everton came calling and quickly secured a £15million deal for the French striker, who put pen to paper on a three-year contract last Friday. Toffees fans have already seen that Maupay can bring goals and relentless running, but former boss Potter detailed a quality that will be more intriguing to Lampard - that the striker is one of few who made him a better coach.
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“From a personal perspective, I can probably count on one hand how many players that have helped me become a better coach, the same as Neal (Maupay),” Potter said. “What he has done for us over the last three years is clear.
“I would say in terms of our relationship as two human beings. I have a lot of respect for Neal, he is a determined character, he knows his own mind, he has got his strong beliefs which is good for a coach because they can test your own.
"You have to compromise, you have to respect, you have to trust, you have to be honest - all the things that I think are really important for being a coach, you have to be that with Neal.”
Despite being confirmed as a Blue last Friday, Maupay was unable to feature in Tuesday’s draw at Leeds United as the Premier League were yet to register him - reportedly due to the bank holiday. He has been in training with the squad all week and is finally eligible for the Merseyside Derby - as are deadline day duo James Garner and Idrissa Gueye.
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