The Everton midfielder put in an impressive display in the win over West Ham United on Sunday.
Speaking to BBC Sport, former Ballon d’Or winner Ruud Gullit has told Ross Barkley that he has to develop as an adult and be a more consistent performer moving forward.
The midfielder has come in for criticism at the beginning of this campaign, with several disappointing performances seeing him dropped from the England squad by Sam Allardyce and Gareth Southgate.
He has also been left out of Everton’s teams, with new manager Ronald Koeman urging the player to up his game.
He did just that on Sunday as he bagged a goal and put in an all-round impressive display in the 2-0 victory over West Ham United at Goodison Park.
And Gullit has urged him to build to on that and put in solid performances week in, week out.
“He’s 23, he has to develop himself as a grown up,” he told BBC Sport.
“He has now four years to play and then he gets into a routine. The best years are 27-31 where you have all the experience. Now he has to show it week in, week out, he has to be at least a six and then maybe excel to an eight or a nine.”
It remains to be seen whether Barkley can start to put in more consistent performances in future.
There is no denying he has been disappointing this season; with the goal against the Hammers just his second of the season and his first in 23 games.
That is a disappointing run of form for a player with such obvious talent and the Blues will be hoping his improved performance against West Ham can be a turning point not just for this season but for the many campaigns to come.
Everton’s Ross Barkley
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