The Everton caretaker boss did not hold back in his praise for the midfielder.
Everton’s caretaker boss David Unsworth has been speaking to the Liverpool Echo ahead of his side’s EFL Cup clash against Chelsea, and among the topics discussed was the future of Ross Barkley.
The 23-year-old has thus far refused to sign a new contract at Goodison Park and he looked to be off in the summer, only to pull the plug on a deadline day move to Chelsea. Despite that change of heart it had seemed likely Barkley would head for pastures new either in January or at the end of the season, yet Ronald Koeman’s exit could have change things considerably.
“My opinion of Ross is that I would love him to stay,” Unsworth told the Echo. “I would absolutely love it. He is a top talent.
“Everton has done great for him and he has done great for Everton. He could be one of the all-time greats here.”
Barkley is currently recovering from injury and it will be interesting to see if he is able to have a positive influence on Everton in the second half of the season or if he is cashed in on while that is still an option for the Toffees.
If a new boss makes Barkley’s future a priority, there could still be a dramatic late change and, given the player’s talent, he would surely be forgiven by those Toffees fans who just want what is best for their club.
After all, if he fulfils his potential as Unsworth expects him to, Everton could be reaping the rewards for the next decade.
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