Ben Mee has revealed Neal Maupay’s wind-up antics against Tottenham last season didn’t go down well with the Brentford squad.
The Frenchman left Spurs' stars rattled in January 2024 when he celebrated scoring the Bees’ opening goal against them by copying James Maddison's trademark dart-throwing celebration.
Maupay gained a reputation as one of the Premier League's chief wind-up merchants during his five years in the English top-flight.
Having carved out a pantomime villain persona with his on-field antics at Brighton and Everton, the striker kept this up when he rejoined Brentford on loan for the 2023/24 season.
From appearing to clash with Kyle Walker over recent reports surrounding his family life, to poking fun at Chelsea's Robert Sanchez on social media after a derby win, Maupay's second spell in west London was certainly eventful.
And it was arguably his celebrated-fuelled spat with Maddison which provided the most in entertainment value, with the pair exchanging words on the pitch the feud escalated later on social media.
After the match, which the Bees lost 3-2, Maupay wrote online: "More goals and less relegations in my career than James Maddison.”
Despite keeping fans entertained however, Brentford defender Mee has revealed his antics managed to upset some of his teammates.
Speaking on talkSPORT Breakfast, the former Burnley star recalled: “The Spurs game I think it was, he was tweeting after the game, or whatever he was doing on the coach.
“And the boys didn't like it because we got beat, and he was trying to have a laugh online or whatever.
"But it was kind of [like]: ‘Just calm it down a little bit. Do it at a different moment’.”
Though Maupay may not have left the Bees squad best pleased on this occasion, Mee revealed he had been pleasantly surprised by French forward upon becoming teammates last season.
Having spent years as direct opponents whilst a mainstay in Sean Dyche's Burnley sides, the 35-year-old admitted he had been unable to stand Maupay's relentless wind-up tactics over the years.
Mee said: “Do you know what? He was in my black book. I didn't like him at all. He was a wind up on the pitch playing against him.
“He was one of those players that I didn't like at all. So I'd love to get stuck into him.
“So when he came to Brentford I was wondering what he'd be like off the pitch. But honestly he's a top lad. He's a really good guy. Nice guy. And he just loves a wind up.
He added: “We had a little bit in training sometimes, me and him. But that's just competitive nature."
“But yeah he enjoys a wind up. And he definitely plays on it now. He just plays on it. And yeah he's a character.”
Despite growing fond of Maupay during their time as teammates, Mee did not hesitate when admitting he would have loved to dish out some strong challenges on him as an opponent.
After talkSPORT host Gabby Agbonlahor suggested the 28-year-old would have been subjected to much rougher treatment from defenders in a past era, the centre-back agreed.
Mee said: “Yeah I can definitely see that, having played against him, yeah.
"I probably would have been one of those guys. Leave one on him early doors.
“But like I say, when I got to know him, I got on with him really well. And he's actually a top guy.”