The England international was substituted at half time during Everton’s 3-0 victory over Sunderland on Monday night.
Everton’s Ross Barkley looks dejected
Ross Barkley had an evening to forget last night after he was substituted at half-time in Everton’s 3-0 Premier League win at Sunderland.
With the score 0-0 at half time, the Toffees scored all three of their goals after the England international was hauled off, a damning indication of his lack of impact.
The 22-year-old’s display became the subject of intense scrutiny, with pundit Rodney Marsh claiming he is no longer the shining light he was when he burst into the scene three years ago.
Even Everton boss Ronald Koeman is said to be so concerned with Barkley’s form that the Dutchman intends to hold talks with Barkley to help improve his performances.
After missing out on a place in the recent England squad, Barkley did little to prove Three Lions boss Sam Allardyce was wrong to omit him, as he continues a decline in form.
Barkley made a good enough start to the current Premier League campaign, striking in the opening game against Tottenham.
However, he appears to have lost his way in recent games, while teammates such as Gerard Deulofeu and Idrissa Gueye have seemingly assumed his position as Everton’s primary attacking threat.
His importance to the club is not in any doubt, but the task for Barkley now is to return to the form which made defences scared to go up against him in previous years.
Everton manager Ronald Koeman
Primarily an attacking midfielder, Barkley too often drops out of position to get stuck in further down the pitch, but it is in advanced areas where he is most dangerous.
Focusing more on this aspect of his game could motivate the Everton youth graduate to return to top form, and this would provide an unbelievable asset for Koeman and the club more generally.
Barkley is too great a talent to go to waste and, perhaps, unnecessary pressures are currently being placed on his shoulders, especially when you consider he is still only 22.
However, he will have to prove the critics wrong on the pitch and pay back the faith his manager has in him, while reminding the league that he remains one of its most promising players.
Ross Barkley celebrates scoring the third goal for Everton
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