Brighton new-boy Neal Maupay says he never had any doubts that he would be able to score goals in the Premier League. The Frenchman was hot property in the summer, with Burnley, Aston Villa, Sheffield United, West Ham and even Sevilla all linked with his signature before he finally joined the Seagulls.
A fee in the region of £20m was enough to snare Maupay from Brentford and he has so far taken the step up in level in his stride.
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The 23-year-old scored just 13 minutes after coming off the bench on his debut, a 3-0 win at Watford back in August. After going close in the three intervening games, he was back at it on Saturday when he cleverly steered home Solly March’s cross from the right to open the scoring against Burnley, only for Jeff Hendrick to net a late equaliser and leave Brighton sat 16th.
Maupay managed 28 goals for Brentford last term, but couldn’t prolong the Bees’ promotion push as they eventually finished 11th in the table.
Having always played centrally during his career, the Versailles-born will be required to be more versatile under Graham Potter. As a result, so far this season he has largely featured on the right of an attacking trio.
Wherever he plays, Maupay feels his instinct for finding the net will ensure he is always firing in his fair share of goals for the team.
“The Premier League is the best league in the world,” said Maupay. “I scored goals in the championship and I know I can score goals here too. “I am discovering a new team, new teammates and new manager. It is not always easy, I didn’t play a full preseason so I’m not at my best yet.”
Brighton head to Newcastle in their next game on Saturday and have a busy few weeks, with Aston Villa the visitors in the EFL Cup on September 25 before tests against Chelsea and Tottenham ahead of the October international break.
