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Pundit suggests this Everton star is not the player he once was

Tony Cascarino - Republic takes the ball from Jozsef Fitos - Hungary (Reuters)
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Gareth Barry has just signed a new deal with Everton, but Tony Cascarino believes the end could be near for the midfielder.

When writing his regular column for the Times, Tony Cascarino offered his opinion on Gareth Barry, and suggested that he is now finally starting to show his age, after making his 750th club appearance during Everton’s 1-0 defeat to Liverpool last night.

The 35-year-old has been superb for the Toffees, since making his permanent switch to Goodison Park in the summer of 2014, and has gone on to become one of the Blues’ most consistent performers.

Referee Michael Oliver speaks with Everton's Gareth Barry Everton’s Gareth Barry

He has only just penned a contract extension with Everton, but Cascarino believes the end could be near for former England international, highlighting last night’s game as evidence as to why, when writing his column for the Times:

“Gareth Barry has been a first-choice midfielder throughout his four seasons at Everton but you can see why Ronald Koeman decided to leave him out of the starting line-up last night. He is 35, so chasing around is not his thing — he is a steady one-touch or two-touch footballer. It would have been a big ask for him to mix it with younger, fresher legs from the start in a Merseyside derby.”

Everton's Gareth Barry and Manchester United's Zlatan IbrahimovicEverton’s Gareth Barry

The former Manchester City and Aston Villa midfielder has been the model of consistency and professionalism throughout his career, and is highly regarded within the game.

He has 53 international caps with England to his name, along with an FA Cup winners medal and a Premier League title.

There comes a time when age catches up with us all, however, and Barry will be hoping that his time to call it a day is still a long way off.