Roy Hodgson has commented that all Ross Barkley needs is a club that believes in him, but will the Everton player feel he has enough support from Ronald Koeman to stay on Merseyside?
Former England manager Roy Hodgson has been strong in his defence of Ross Barkley, who is unsettled at Everton having not yet signed a new contract, reports the Sun.
Hodgson is well position to give his opinion of Barkley, who was a regular player during his time as England manager.
“If Ross can find a club where people believe in him as much as we did in the England set-up, he will do well,” said Hodgson.
“Players with a special talent are players who will divide opinion” he added…”He’s not lazy and he will do the work and will recover and try to defend.”
In May, Everton manager Ronald Koeman told Barkley that if he did not sign an extended contract before the end of last season he would not be a Toffees player come August, as the Independent reported at the time.
Koeman’s stance on the matter has not warmed greatly. This July, the Dutchman was non-committal on Barkley: “At the moment the situation is unclear,” he told the Liverpool Echo.
But since then, Barkley has undergone an operation on his groin and could miss the start of the season, says the BBC.
The period between now and the start of the season will only heighten tension with Barkley unable to play, and if his intention is to stay at Everton, his latest setback is not going to make it any easier for him to secure a starting place at Goodison.
There are plenty of clubs that would like to add Barkley to their squads, according to SkyBet. But it is a crucial decision that Barkley will have to make if one of them does meet Everton’s asking price.
Barkley will know that his England future and possible World Cup place will depend on making the right decision.
It would be a brave move for him to stay at Everton, if communications with Koeman are still fractious. But the Toffees have offered him a new contract and he should be clear with them where he stands on it.
It is the indecision that is most likely what rattles Koeman, who needs to make plans ahead of a vital campaign.
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