Tim Sherwood told Optus Sport on Premier League Productions that on-loan Aston Villa midfielder Ross Barkley has been a ‘massive disappointment’.
Not even during his days growing up as an Everton fan could Barkley have imagined such a debut for Villa, but it happened.
Putting seven past Liverpool will live long in the memory of Villa supporters and the die-hard Evertonian himself.
And whilst Barkley continued to shine during those following months, since his injury before Christmas, his form has hit a stumbling block.
That was touched upon by ex-Villa boss Sherwood, who also stated that the likes of Bertrand Traore and Anwar El Ghazi ‘have to come to the party’.
“Ross Barkley has been a massive disappointment to me,” said Sherwood. “He went in and he was brilliant (at the start).
“He took the onus off Jack and they (the opposition) had somebody else to worry about.
“The likes of Traore and El Ghazi. They have to come to the party a little bit. McGinn’s not really a creative influence and Douglas Luiz in them midfield areas.
“They brought Sanson in from Marseille. A good midfield player. But he’s not going to open with an eye of a needle pass.”
The fact that teenager Jacob Ramsey is starting games ahead of Barkley and coming off the bench ahead of the England international says a lot.
There are still plenty of games left for Barkley to turn his form around, but at this moment in time, the Villa supporters would perhaps deliver a big ‘no’ in wanting to sign him on a permanent basis in the summer.
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