Everton’s Ross Barkley has faced a large amount of criticism this season.
Everton boss Ronald Koeman has told the Telegraph that he has had to explain his public criticism of Ross Barkley this season to the midfielder.
In the early months of the campaign, Koeman did not make it a secret that he was unhappy with Barkley’s form.
The Dutch boss regularly criticised the England international in post-match interviews, and even took him out of Everton’s starting line-up for a stage.
However, in recent weeks, Barkley has rediscovered his top form and looks to be enjoying his football again.
Barkley started celebrating scoring before putting the ball in the back of the net against Bournemouth, in a show of the 23-year-old’s high confidence levels now.
And Koeman says that Barkley only has reason to fear, when he stops mentioning him.
“I spoke about this with Ross. He mentioned that it is always about him. I said, ‘OK, start to be afraid when they don’t ask about you’,” Koeman explained.
“And if the manager is still criticising you as a player then it means he still believes in your qualities. If I don’t talk about you anymore than that is when you need to be afraid.
“I understand it is always difficult for him. There are always a lot of comments and questions about him.”
Barkley is now playing a pivotal role for Everton, and is almost certain to start later today, when Koeman’s side take on Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium.
If Everton can beat Boro, they could close the gap on sixth placed Manchester United to just two points.
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