Everton loanee fights back at the Daily Mail in the last 24 hours following what they said.
Neal Maupay, a Brentford loanee and Everton striker, has slammed the Daily Mail for questioning endurance runner Russ Cook’s credentials. Maupay expressed his disappointment on X when the Daily Mail created a minute-long video contesting Cook’s record of jogging the whole length of Africa, little than a day after the 27-year-old completed his 352-day expedition.
According to the Mail’s video, the World Runners’ Association claimed one of its seven founders, Danish runner Jesper Olsen, was the first to run the whole length of Africa on a 434-day journey between Egypt and South Africa in 2010. Maupay’s judgement was candid, saying: “Less than 24 hours after this man finishes sprinting the entire length of Africa. Already, the English press is attempting to pull him down. Goodison Park’s return for pantomime villain Maupay seemed doubtful. While still on the books at Everton, and only appearing twice for the Toffees this season before making his season-long loan move to Brentford on September 1, 2023, Maupay’s contrasting form at the two teams implies that West London will become his permanent home come the
The Frenchman scored 41 goals in 95 Bees appearances before joining Brighton, where he spent three consistent Premier League seasons. However, since joining Everton for £15 million in August 2022 [BBC], he has never maintained that level of consistency. His return to the Toffees has been disappointing, with only one goal in 29 games in 2022-23 and another scoreless trio of appearances this season before being loaned back out to Brentford.
Returning to his former club has reignited Maupay’s form, with eight goals in 27 appearances across all competitions for the Bees. His agitation of opposing players and fanbases, most recently directed at darts prodigy Luke Littler, has intensified during this time, implying that Brentford is where his polarising personality shines the brightest.