John Arne Riise and Sam Allardyce have defended Moise Kean after Everton took off the ex-Juventus striker 18 minutes into subbing him on.
Kean was brought on after 70 minutes during Everton’s 1-1 draw with Manchester United on Sunday, but interim boss Duncan Ferguson chose to replace him before the final whistle.
Riise – a former Liverpool and Roma left-back – has now accused Ferguson of “destroying a young boy” after the match.
John Arne Riise and Sam Allardyce have defended Moise Kean after Everton took off the ex-Juventus striker 18 minutes into subbing him on.
Kean was brought on after 70 minutes during Everton’s 1-1 draw with Manchester United on Sunday, but interim boss Duncan Ferguson chose to replace him before the final whistle.
Riise – a former Liverpool and Roma left-back – has now accused Ferguson of “destroying a young boy” after the match.
“Sometimes in football, you have to think about the human part,” he told talkSPORT. “He’s destroying this young boy’s confidence.
“He doesn’t even shake his hand. Give him a hug – he’s a young boy. That is the worst thing you can do for any player, but especially a young boy who doesn’t speak the language very well.
“He destroyed that young player.”
The Norwegian’s criticism was backed up by ex-Toffees coach Allardyce, who claimed Ferguson’s staff should’ve stepped in.
“He probably should have embraced him when he came off,” added the 65-year-old. “The people around him should have said ‘gaffer, don’t do that’.
“He is in the pressure pot for the first time, he’s at Old Trafford, he’s getting a result and in his mind he’s thinking ‘he’s not doing what he should have done, get him off.’
“Someone should have said ‘do you think that’s right, gaffer?’ He’s done fantastic [Ferguson] but under the pressure we all make mistakes. That’s why your staff is there.”
Kean, who moved to Goodison Park from Juve over the summer, went straight down the tunnel, but the caretaker said his decision was “nothing personal”.
The Italy teen has yet to score for the Premier League side after 11 games and has been linked with a return to Serie A this winter.