- McNeil played for Everton since 2022, playing part in preserving Premier League status.
- Came close to an exit from the club in January but since found a spot back in starting XI.
- After two disappointing performances, he still can’t seem to fix weaknesses in his game.
Dwight McNeil has boasted one of Everton’s finest left feet in the modern era.
He has scored some wonderful goals for the Toffees and has proven to be a threat when delivering from set-pieces.
Under Sean Dyche, he played his best football for the Blues as he nicely complemented his manager’s style of play.
But since David Moyes arrived in January 2025, the winger has not hit the same heights as he did in his first couple of seasons on Merseyside.
After coming close to a move away from the club in the last transfer window, it is now time for McNeil to end his time with the Blues.
Everton needs to freshen up their options on the wing
The Toffees have been linked with wingers ahead of the summer transfer window, so this could indicate McNeil might be offloaded.
Before Jack Grealish’s season-ending injury, the 26-year-old struggled to generate much game time, and it looked as though his Everton journey was coming to a close.
Crystal Palace came mightily close to signing the winger, but after the deal fell through, he has started seven league matches and was handed an opportunity to rebuild his career at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Yet the past two matches have confirmed that it is time for the Englishman to leave.
Dwight McNeil’s right foot is his undoing
Since his first appearance in royal blue, McNeil has used his right foot on a very few occasions.
This is baffling considering he is a Premier League-level player, but it holds the winger back from being a truly effective player.
The inability to use his weaker foot slows him and his team down when countering or trying to play the ball from out of the back.
His major weakness was exposed in Everton’s 2-1 defeat against Liverpool as he was at fault for Mohamed Salah’s opener.
Instead of receiving the ball with his right foot and assessing his options, McNeil tried to play a pass back to the defence with his left foot, but his mistake was pounced on by Cody Gakpo, who slotted his Egyptian teammate through on goal.
The conundrum with the 26-year-old is that his left foot rivals the likes of Leighton Baines and James Rodriguez, yet his ability with the corresponding foot is virtually non-existent as he refuses to use it.
McNeil was an ideal option when Everton would sit deep, counter, and thrive from set-pieces, but if the Toffees are to progress, the winger needs to be moved on to allow room for someone else to have an impact for the Blues.
