Neal Maupay: A Workhorse in Sevilla’s Forward Line

omidbasir- In football, forwards are often evaluated based on their goal-scoring statistics. Recognizing a lack of scoring efficiency during the winter transfer window, Sevilla allocated their minimal salary cap to acquire a striker. This move addressed the concerns of head coach Matías Almeyda, who had been limited in options with only two forwards, Isaac Romero and Akor Adams. The chosen player was Neal Maupay, who had previously been close to joining Sevilla last summer.

Maupay’s tenure at Sevilla began with mixed emotions; he scored a stunning goal in his debut match, which ultimately had no impact on the game’s outcome, yet it generated hope for a team in need of positivity. His debut against Mallorca provided limited insights into his potential contributions, given he had been largely inactive during his last months at Marseille. After three appearances in the Sevilla jersey, Maupay has demonstrated what was expected of him: a player still in need of match fitness, yet one who is committed and hardworking in support of the team.

Under Almeyda’s direction, Maupay has seamlessly integrated into a two-striker formation. He made his first appearance at the Sánchez-Pizjuán against Girona but struggled with accuracy, taking three shots without hitting the target. Nonetheless, he showcased promising attributes such as back-to-goal play, off-the-ball movements, and a solid ability to link up with teammates. “He is quick both technically and mentally, but he needs time to adjust, especially when joining mid-season. It usually takes some time to synchronize with the rest of the team. He is a dangerous player,” Almeyda remarked before the match against Alavés.

In his third outing with Sevilla, Maupay failed to register a shot on target, yet he played a pivotal role in the build-up to Sow’s goal: he won a duel against Alavés defenders along the sideline, quickly threw the ball in to Akor Adams, and was instrumental in the sequence that eventually led to the Swiss player receiving the ball. The match proved to be challenging for him, as he found himself distanced from the goal area, but he contributed with crucial, albeit less visible, work.

The partnership between Maupay and Akor Adams has provided greater mobility for the Nigerian forward, allowing him to drift wider to maintain possession and relieve pressure on the team. Conversely, this change has somewhat hindered Adams’ scoring form since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations. Moreover, Adams has been caught offside several times, although he has been correcting this as he becomes more familiar with his new teammate: three times against Mallorca, twice against Girona, and once against Alavés.

In conclusion, Maupay’s introduction to the team has thus far translated more into collective effort than direct goal contributions. While he may not be the flashiest player, his professionalism and hard work have injected new energy into Sevilla’s attack. However, for the team to start accumulating points, they will need him to be more present in the penalty area and begin scoring goals, as this is ultimately how forwards are assessed.