Maupay Ready To Be Versatile For Seagulls’ Cause

Neal Maupay has told head coach Graham Potter he is willing to play in any position to benefit Brighton this season. The 23-year-old Frenchman was brought into the Amex Stadium on a four-year deal in the summer after the Seagulls agreed to pay Brentford around £20million.

Maupay plied his trade in his homeland with Nice and St Etienne but made his name in the Championship with the Bees. He caught the eye last season when he scored 28 goals in 49 appearances in all competitions for the Griffin Park outfit.

Potter decided to gamble on Maupay being able to make the step-up to the Premier League and his faith has been repaid to date as he has scored three goals in eight outings.

His goals have come with him operating in a striker role, but with the likes of veteran Glenn Murray and emerging starlet Aaron Connolly vying for places, it will be difficult for Potter to satisfy all of his attacking options.

Connolly bagged a brace in the 3-0 win against Tottenham before the international break and there is a clamour for him to start in Saturday’s trip to Aston Villa.

And, Maupay, who revealed that he was moved from a number nine role to play out on the wing during the recent game against Burnley, is happy to be versatile.

He told the Argus: He said: “I have always been playing as a striker so central but I need to adapt for the team and, if for the team I need to play out wide, I will do it without a problem.”

Maupay added: “If you want to help the team, you have got to do what the manager tells you to do and that’s what I’ll do, even if my best position is as a striker.”