The Everton man’s performance was put under the microscope at the weekend.
Speaking to reporters and quoted by The Independent, Everton boss Ronald Koeman has not reacted well to persistent questions about Ross Barkley.
The Toffees lost 1-0 at Bournemouth on the weekend for what was their first Premier League defeat in six games this season.
The Everton manager has previously gone on record this season as saying that he wants the 23-year-old midfielder to improve.
Barkley’s performance at Bournemouth divided opinion among the club’s fans and pundits alike, but the Dutch coach was in no mood to discuss his midfielder’s display; not when the media are shining the spotlight on him, according to Koeman.
“I don’t answer about that question,” he told a press conference, via The Independent.
“Why do I need to explain or tell always about just one of my players? You don’t ask m.e about Coleman, you don’t ask me about anyone else.
“What I don’t like is that every game I have to the explain what was the performance of Barkley. Every week I get that type of question.”
Everton have been excellent since Koeman took charge, but it does appear as if Barkley is struggling for consistency under the ex-Southampton boss.
He can be brilliant or he can be rather quiet; form which he really must stabilise if he wants to help the Merseysiders achieve something this season
Everton’s Ross Barkley in action
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