Everton are currently in eighth place in the Premier League table.
Charlie Nicholas has suggested on Sky Sports News, which was broadcast on 7th December, that Ross Barkley’s place at Everton could come under threat in the January transfer window.
Barkley was left on the substitutes’ bench for the entirety of Everton’s latest match against Manchester United, even though Ronald Koeman’s side were chasing the game.
Koeman turned to Gerard Deulofeu and Enner Valencia instead of Barkley, as he looked to help Everton get back into the game.
And Nicholas believes that Koeman’s decision to leave Barkley on the bench hints a deeper frustration.
Everton have won just once in their last 10 matches across all competitions, and they have slipped down to eighth place in the Premier League table.
Nicholas believes that Koeman has doubts over a number of his first-team squad at Goodison Park, and he has predicted that wholesale changes could be made in the January transfer window.
“I think Koeman is so frustrated with the lack of quality at Everton now,” he said. “People like Barkley, who don’t even get off the bench, are under massive scrutiny. I think there could be big changes in January.”
Everton had started the season brilliantly under Koeman’s guidance, but their dip in form has caused a great deal of frustration around Goodison Park.
Koeman is now under pressure to turn Everton’s form around, with the Toffees due to face Watford at Vicarage Road at the weekend.
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