Dwight McNeil Burnley
Dwight McNeil recently opened up about the emotional rollercoaster he experienced during a failed transfer to Crystal Palace. The move, which was set to be a loan with a £20 million obligation to buy, fell through at the last moment, leaving McNeil and his partner, Megan Sharpley, heartbroken. Despite the setback, McNeil has since focused on his performances at Everton, where he aims to help the club reach new heights.
Dwight McNeil said: “It was difficult because it was going to be a big change for me, and it was just to go and play football. I was struggling for minutes here at the time. So, it was a difficult, difficult day. A lot went on. We had to sign the extension forms until nine o’clock, and then, it all just fell through at the last minute. So, it was difficult because it went that far down the line, but it didn’t happen and it wasn’t meant to be. It would’ve been me leaving home because this is where I’ve lived all my life and Meg’s the same with her family. She’s really close to her family, so it would have been a big change for her. Meg has a big emphasis on ‘everything happens for a reason.’ So that’s the way I’m looking at it. I’ve got to say, all the lads have been a massive help. I’m really close with a few of them, in particular, and, obviously, they checked in on me as soon as it happened on the night, some of them rang me. I want to say a big thank you to all of them, to be honest, because they’ve been first-class and really helped me.”
Dwight McNeil said: “It was a lovely moment. Something that will stay with me. It was just nice to have that reception from the fans. I really appreciate it, and like I say, that will stay with me for a long time. I think it was my best performance this season. It’s been a difficult season for me. With everything that’s gone on off the pitch, being injured last year and then trying to get my way back into it. But I think the game against Burnley, I was just myself and I really enjoyed it. It’s just nice to be playing again. I was confident in myself and my ability. So, it was about getting stuck in and doing my best. For the next few weeks after it, I was trying to get my head around what happened. But then, we had a chat, me and Meg; my agent; and my family; about what I can do from now until the end of the season. I’ve loved playing for Everton, ever since I signed, from day one. I got my head down and I trained as hard as I could every day, just trying to get that confidence back, really. I knew I had nothing else to lose in that moment, so now I’m just focused and I’m just trying to play as well as I can. I’m here and I want to do well for the club. This is where we are and we want to finish the season off strong and hopefully help the team get into Europe.”
McNeil’s performance against Burnley was a testament to his resilience, as he delivered an impressive display that earned him a standing ovation from the home crowd. The match marked Everton’s first home victory in nearly three months, highlighting McNeil’s impact on the pitch.
Everton manager David Moyes has expressed his ambition to lead the club back into European football, a vision McNeil shares. The player acknowledged the improvement in the squad’s quality and is eager to contribute to the club’s resurgence. With the support of his teammates and the guidance of Moyes, McNeil remains optimistic about Everton’s future and his role in it.
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