Everton may finally have their Ross Barkley replacement in their ranks – Our View

Follow us on Google Discover

Everton have had one of the most dramatic January transfer windows in recent memory.

A managerial change, a big-name sale and a drama-filled deadline day made the Toffees one of the most interesting teams to follow last month.

The signings of Vitaliy Mykolenko, Nathan Patterson and Donny Van de Beek are enough to get any fan excited, but, in our view, the arrival of Dele Alli is the most exciting move Everton have made in quite some time.

It’s easy to forget after the past few years, but Alli, on his day, is one of the best attacking midfielders in the country.

He’s a two-time PFA Young Player of the Year winner, and he’s got the potential to plug a serious problem position for the Toffees.

Indeed, Everton haven’t really been able to nail down a solid creative midfielder since the departure of Ross Barkley back in 2018. James Rodriguez looked as though he’d be that man last summer, but his arrival was something of a false dawn, but now, Alli could fill that role perfectly.

Alli is now working under a manager who knows exactly what it takes to be a truly elite Premier League attacking midfielder, and if he goes back to playing on his instincts, he will be a star.

Alli is at his best when he’s playing on instinct. Just look at his Goal of the Season winner against Crystal Palace a few years ago. The flick, the turn, the volley it was all pure improvisation and spur of the moment stuff.

There’s a reason that Barkley was able to flourish at Everton as a youngster. The Toffees are very good at providing a platform for players with that level of innate ability to shine.

The Toffees are, and have often been, in a spot where one star has the ability to elevate them to the next level, and if Frank Lampard recognises that Alli can be that player, he could rediscover his best form.

Yes, both Alli and Barkley’s careers have meandered off-course in recent years, but there is still that talent in there, and Alli could finally be the man Everton have needed ever since they sold Barkley to Chelsea.