Season › 2021-22 › News Demarai Gray is a Stunning Talent Says Pat Nevin Gary McCarty Wednesday, 25 August, 2021 0comments | Jump to most recent Former Everton winger Pat Nevin has praised the signings new Toffees boss Rafael Benitez has made since arriving on Merseyside. He believes the players he has brought in can help the club compete in the Premier League. Nevin, who played 109 times for Everton between 1988 and 1992, told toffeeweb.com, on behalf of British Gambler, Demarai Gray could be the best of the signings and has tipped him to become the next Riyad Mahrez in the Premier League. He said: “Demarai Gray might be the big one, he is a stunning talent and there were times at Leicester where he looked like the next Riyad Mahrez." “When you look at someone like Demarai Gray, he can come in for Richarlison or play elsewhere." Article continues below video content “If Rafa can get the best out of him and Moise Kean, then Everton will have a really good season.” Everton finished 10th in the Premier League table last season and Nevin thinks the team underachieved in the end. He believes that with the extra depth they now have in their squad with Gray and Andros Townsend, they will fare much better. He said: “They had a good enough starting XI to be up in the top six and top four in their best form, but once they had to make a few changes they were a long way short." “Townsend can cover that right hand side and Moise Kean as a back up to Calvert-Lewin, you start to look at Everton as a good team." “You can afford to bring other players in when dealing with injuries or even a loss of form throughout the season." “All the way through the pitch they have a lot of quality, but they were missing that strength in depth, and I think Andros can do that job but Gray can do an even better job.” Rafael Benitez was a controversial choice as Everton's next manager but Nevin has urged Everton fans to ignore his background and trust that he will deliver for the club. He said: “I don't think they could get a better manager than Rafa Benitez, I know some Everton fans won't like me for saying that, but it's true." “When he came to Chelsea, he was despised by the fans, but by the time he left he turned them around and the word used most by those supporters about him was 'respected'." “I think he's capable of doing at that Everton as well.” Everton have made a strong start under Benitez, picking up four points from their opening two Premier League games. About these ads