Why Everton Will Benefit By Selling Ross Barkley Off
Everton are not messing about in this transfer window. After enjoying a fairly successful season under new manager Ronald Koeman, where they finished 7th in the Premier League and qualified for the UEFA Europa League, the Toffees have shown the right intent and the ambition in the transfer market.
Having already snapped up two very talented players in Jordan Pickford from Sunderland and Davy Klaassen from AFC Ajax, Koeman and Everton have set the ball rolling for an impressive summer window. More signings are expected to arrive at the Goodison Park over the next couple of months as the club looks to establish themselves as genuine challengers for the Champions League spots.
However, there are a few players who find themselves in uncertain situations at the club. Ross Barkley finds himself in hot waters with the club, following his refusal to sign a new contract with the club. Manager Koeman had issued warnings that he will be sold if there’s no extension signed. With less than a week left for the transfer window to open, should Everton offer another deal to Barkley and try and tie him down? Or do they offload him permanently?
Barkley was widely regarded as the next best thing to come out of the Everton academy after Wayne Rooney. The versatile midfielder had been tipped as the future of the Toffees and the England national team, and it is not hard to see why. The youngster is brimming with talents and potential in plenty and has the ability to become one of the best No.10’s in England.
But, a marked lack of consistency in his game over the years has been the biggest criticism that has been drawn against Barkley. It has never been a question of ability with him, but it has more to do with the attitude and the drive that a player of his age and quality should be showcasing. Koeman has time and again pointed it out over the course of the last season, that he expects a lot more from the midfielder.
Barkley managed just 6 goals and 9 assists from 39 games in all competitions last time around. The goal tally was half of what he managed in the 2015-16 campaign under Roberto Martinez and his assists count is also lesser when compared to that season. So, Koeman’s call for improvement wasn’t really unfounded. But having failed to deliver, Barkley didn’t do himself a great favour.
However, considering the potential that he has shown, there might be a temptation to try and convince him to stay at the club. But, there is no point in keeping a player who has set his sights on a move away as there are chances that he might create an atmosphere of negativity in the squad.
Amid interest from the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal, Everton aren’t short of potential suitors for Barkley. Considering that he is likely to claim a big transfer fee, owing to his potential and his homegrown status, the Merseysiders are in a solid position and will only be benefited by his sale.