The Toffees blew a one-goal lead to draw with Crystal Palace on Friday.
Sky Sports pundit Charlie Nicholas was left disappointed by Ross Barkley’s latest Everton display.
Barkley has endured a difficult start to what has been a promising campaign for Ronald Koeman’s side, who would have been level on points with third-place Arsenal had they not allowed Christian Benteke to equalise for Crystal Palace on Friday, following Romelu Lukaku’s earlier strike.
Despite registering a goal and assist in Everton’s first two Premier League fixtures, the 22-year-old was dropped from Sam Allardyce’s one and only England squad and hauled off at half-time during the Toffees’ 3-0 win at Sunderland last month.
Koeman has entrusted Barkley from the start in all three of Everton’s game since, although Nicholas believes the Liverpudlian is failing to justify his continued inclusion.
“They (Everton) should have gone on and won, and I was disappointed in Ross Barkley’s performance again,” Nicholas told Sky Sports. “I’m a fan of his, but it looks like Sam Allardyce’s decision to leave him out of his first England squad has set him back.
“It seems he’s not quite recovered and I think Ronald Koeman might be tempted to take him out of the team and make him prove his worth.”
Ironically, Barkley was one of Everton’s best players as they underachieved last season under Roberto Martinez.
The academy product enjoyed his most productive campaign ever, scoring eight goals and creating as many in the Premier League.
The Toffees were set to offer Barkley an improved contract at the start of last month (Daily Mail), however a new deal is yet to manifest.
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