The Toffees’ talisman has work to do in order to get back into Ronald Koeman’s good graces.
Ross Barkley celebrates scoring the third goal for Everton
When Ross Barkley burst onto the scene for Everton in 2013, his performances catapulted the midfielder into the Merseyside limelight.
His showing during his first full season for The Toffees had Barkley’s name uttered in the same breath as former club great Wayne Rooney.
Lately though the fairytale has gone sour, with inconsistency plaguing the 22 year-old. His role under new boss Ronald Koeman is now under the microscope.
As Barkley wowed with multiple match-of-the-match performances in his debut season, expectations of the number 10 shot through the roof as the next big thing not only at Goodison Park, but for England also.
Roberto Martinez Ross Barkley
Comparisons were made with Paul Gascoigne as that rarest of footballing commodities, as a player with ‘X’ factor. Then still in his late teens, Ross Barkley was flourishing as an individual of not only a speed and strength, but a distinct flair too.
Scoring six time in his breakthrough season under new Everton boss Roberto Martinez, his next campaign brought with it the pitfalls of injury, playing less than 2000 minutes that season.
In comparison, Phil Jagielka played over a third more game time in the heart of the Toffees’ defence.
Last term was by far Barkley’s most prolific to date, scoring on eight occasions and assisting nine more times.
This season began in sterling fashion but having scored versus Tottenham Hotspur on the opening day, the Everton star has failed to find the net in the last seven outings.
Everton manager Ronald Koeman
Ross Barkley has nonetheless started every Premier League game so far, but the early warning signs have been illuminated already.
Koeman hauled his man off at half time versus Sunderland, despite coasting to a 3-0 victory at The Stadium of Light.
The Dutchman suffers no fools and after a settling in period on Merseyside, Koeman is ready to crack the whip.
There was then little incredulity after a string of average performances, that Barkley was dropped to the bench versus Manchester City last weekend in favour of Gerard Deulofeu – who himself has dropped out of the starting XI – and was unused during 90 minutes.
Koeman has since stated that the move was merely utilized as a wake-up call. The 53 year-old Toffees’ boss mentions however, that Barkley now needs to start to fulfill his potential.
Is the Dutchman merely bluffing to instigate a reaction?
For the moment there is little to suggest Ross Barkley will again be left out for the trip to face Burnley this weekend, but Koeman is right. Barkley must soon recapture his form or face a winter of discontent on Merseyside.
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