Neal Maupay has built a notorious reputation over his on-pitch antics (Picture: Getty)
Brentford manager Thomas Frank admits Neal Maupay winding people up ‘makes him tick’ ahead of Chelsea’s trip to the Gtech Community Stadium.
Maupay has built a notorious reputation over his antics on the pitch and Chelsea could become the latest side to suffer from his mind games on Saturday.
Wind-up merchant Maupay has been involved in fall-outs with Tottenham’s James Maddison and Manchester City’s Kyle Walker this season.
Maupay goaded Maddison by copying his darts celebration and was accused of brining up Walker’s children in an on-field spat – allegedly mocking him over his infidelity – while he was also involved in a clash with West Ham’s Kevin Nolan.
Speaking ahead of Brentford’s clash against Chelsea, Frank was asked about Maupay ‘winding people up’ and said: ‘It’s nice to speak about Neal because he’s been fantastic for us.
‘When he came here, he hadn’t scored a goal for ages. So what he has done to be at the level he is now is incredible. He deserves a lot of praise.
‘I know there’s a lot of talk [over his antics] and I understand why it’s a good question to ask and something you want to talk about.
Neal Maupay has scored four goals in his last seven top-flight games (Picture: Getty)
‘What I believe in is that every player is different. They need to find their own way for what makes them tick and makes them perform. I’m a big believer in that.
‘Then it’s my responsibility to guide them sometimes. Of course, I have spoken to Neal about it. I will keep that to myself but he needs to do what he thinks is important.’
West Ham’s Michail Antonio reckons Maupay is in danger of getting beaten up as a result of his antics and labelled him ‘the most disliked person on the field’.
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French striker Maupay, 27, opened up about his spat with Maddison this week to Sport Bible and said: ‘The way he got offended, it was quite funny.
‘It would have been better if we had won. But at their place in front of their fans, got all their players raging – that’s goated. Just by throwing a dart I got 11 players on toast.
‘It was so easy. It’s mad how easy it is, but I’m just having fun, for me it is fun. Football is a game and I’m trying to enjoy myself.’
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