Everton star Ross Barkley has found himself to be the target of heavy criticism of late.
Speaking live on Sky Sports’ programme Premier League Daily at 10:53 am on December 9th, Sky Sports pundit Phil Thompson offered his opinion on Everton star Ross Barkley.
The 23-year-old was forced to watch from the sidelines as his Everton teammates drew 1-1 with Manchester United on Sunday, after Toffees boss Ronald Koeman had seemingly grown impatient with the midfielder’s inconsistent displays.
Despite his precocious talent, Barkley plays with a perceived lackadaisical style at times, and doesn’t impact as many games in the manner in which his ability suggests he should do.
Everton’s Ross Barkley
And Thompson, who made 340 league appearances for Everton’s bitter rivals Liverpool, offered his verdict on the England international, telling Sky Sports:
“With Ross, he’s a great talent, wonderful, but not consistent, nowhere near consistent enough to play at the top level. He’s an out-and-out number 10. And a number 10 has to be involved all the time, he has to be getting the ball in between the lines, getting the ball, turning, creating and getting quite a few goals from that position. And he’s not doing all those things at the moment.”
Everton have struggled as a whole of late, after picking up just seven points from their last nine league outings, which has subsequently seen them slip to eighth in the Premier League table.
And Koeman’s men face a vital month ahead of them as they head into the Christmas period and on into the new year, with games against Arsenal, Liverpool and Premier League champions Leicester City on the horizon.
Everton’s Ross Barkley
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