Thanks for underlining my point.
McNeil is a good crosser. Happens to play on the left where Richarlison is gonna spend a lot of time unless we play 4-4-2 which isn't suited to our midfield options.
He played more passes/crosses into the box than any of the players last season, per 90, other than McNeil. So I'm not sure why he'd be unable to help us in that regard.
Remember that incredible ball he played to Richarlison in the first derby, when Richarlison hit the post? How about his cross in to Keane for the equaliser in that game, or the one to Mina in the Brighton game. How about the defence-splitting througball to Coleman in that Palace match? How about the brilliant pass out to Digne against Wolves (A), when he played in a 4-4-2 and did it really well, working hard as a striker in the middle of January?
Quality players can fit into systems. I don't think James should stay and start every game. I think he should stay and complement other players, and that we should focus on getting tosh out of the door, not actual quality. But no, this is Everton, we just give up when things are hard, waggle our finger at big clubs taking the p*** (though do nothing about it) and then do something nice for charity.