Neal Maupay has opened up about recent clashes with Premier League stars that have turned him into the division’s pantomime villain.
Maupay has become somewhat synonymous with liquidating fellow professionals in recent weeks, first clashing with James Maddison in Brentford’s defeat to Tottenham at the end of January.
He then angered Kyle Walker and was accused of talking about the winger’s family following the news that he had had a second child with a different woman to his partner.
The forward was criticized for his actions but insisted he never crossed the line, denying allegations surrounding his alleged comments to Walker in his team’s 3-1 defeat to the Champions League on February 5.
speaking to The timesMaupay claimed that “everyone would laugh” if they knew what he really said to Walker, and insisted that he was “just having fun” with his on-field antics.
Neal Maupay has responded to Kyle Walker’s claims about the pair’s clash earlier this month.
The couple were involved in a heated exchange when Walker claimed Maupay had made references to their children.
The confrontation occurred after it was revealed that Walker had fathered a second child with a different woman to his partner.
“I didn’t think I should have to defend myself for something I didn’t do,” he said of the confrontation with Walker. “People who know me know I wouldn’t say something like that, but it’s a bit unfair because if I don’t speak up people will think I’m guilty.”
‘I’m not going to say (what he said), but, if you read my lips carefully and found out, everyone would laugh.
“People say football players are boring, and suddenly a player does this and everyone says, ‘Why, Neal?’ He is the least liked player. Blah, blah, blah.” For me, football is a game, it’s entertainment. I’m just having fun and, on the field, I’m trying to do everything I can to win. If I can say something that discourages you or makes you think too much and commit a mistake, I will do it.
‘Defenders can be cheeky too. I’m not a crazy person. “We played against Wolves last week and nothing happened because their centre-backs acted differently.”
The recent focus on Maupay’s actions began when he imitated James Maddison’s famous darts celebration when scoring the first goal of Brentford’s 3-2 defeat to Ange Postecoglou’s team.
Maddison ended up confronting the Frenchman on the pitch and then criticized the move and his scoring exploits, to which Maupay responded on social media by pointing out Maddison’s relegation history.
Maupay also irritated James Maddison by copying his darts celebration after scoring at Tottenham.
The pair were then involved in a bizarre exchange after Maddison objected to the move.
They later clashed on social media, with Maddison sharing an image of the striker’s celebration on social media.
Later in the match, Spurs goalscorers Brennan Johnson and Richarlison performed the celebration, apparently in jest towards Maupay.
“He took it very personally, it’s funny,” Maupay said. “I threw a dart at him and he got so offended that he posted my photo on his Instagram. But if I give something, I have to be able to receive it too.
“We didn’t lose against Tottenham thanks to my celebration. They would be in big trouble in the league if they needed a player to give them strength to win a game.