Everton boss Ronald Koeman has publicly criticised Ross Barkley this season.
Harry Redknapp has told the Daily Mail that Everton midfielder Ross Barkley needs picking up, not putting down.
Everton boss Ronald Koeman has publicly criticised Barkley this season, with the Dutch boss pulling no punches.
Koeman has seemingly tried to give Barkley a push to ensure that the England international fulfils his potential.
However, Redknapp question whether Koeman is making a mistake by being so harsh on the 22-year-old.
The former Queens Park Rangers and Tottenham Hotspur manager said: “Ross Barkley doesn’t need knocking down. He needs picking up. It’s no good saying what he can’t do. What can he do? He can play. He can see a pass, he’s strong, he can run with the ball. He’s got great ability, so tell him.
“Go on Ross, go and play, run the game, they can’t live with you Ross, you’re different class. He’d feel 10ft tall. Don’t keep telling him to get back in there when we haven’t got the ball, don’t do this, don’t do that… encourage him.”
Despite Redknapp’s apparent doubts over Koeman’s motivational tactic, Barkley did put in his best performance of the season recently for Everton.
Barkley was in sparkling form as the Goodison Park side beat West Ham United 2-0 just two weekends’ ago.
The Everton midfielder has still not done enough to break back in England’s squad for their upcoming fixtures.
England are due to face Scotland and Spain in the next week, but Barkley was not selected by Gareth Southgate, and will be training with Everton over the international break.
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