Everton and England midfielder Ross Barkley has endured a rollercoaster week.
First, there was an altercation in a Liverpool night club and then an
attack by a so called journalist who compared the midfielder to a
Gorilla.
He finished the week on a high, though, by doing what he does best by
being influential for Everton in a 3-1 home against Burnley on
Saturday.
It was the sort of display that the midfielder has produced on many
occasions this season, but that Toffees fans would like to see on a more
consistent basis.
Loved at Everton
Ross Barkley seems to divide opinion. At times he can look brilliant,
but his decision making is often questioned. However, he is undoubtedly
a very talent footballer and hopefully, he will only improve in the
future. Despite criticism by Evertonian’s, he is loved.
He is one of our own, as Spurs fans sing about Harry Kane. Barkley
has been at the club virtually his whole life and is a lifelong blue. He
is the player that represents the Everton fans on the pitch. The
midfielder is the lifelong blue fulfilling his dream of playing for his
beloved team.
Barkley seems to get just as frustrated as the fans when a pass goes
astray or he makes a poor decision. To his credit, his decision making
on the pitch is improving. I just hope he chooses his waterholes more
carefully in future, though!
Doubts about his future at Everton
Barkley may be blue through and through. However, there are doubts
about whether the midfielder will be at the club next season. He will
have just 12 months left on his contract in the summer and boss Ronald
Koeman has not minced his words about the situation.
The Dutchman has stated that the situation is simple; the 23-year-old
will sign a new contract or he is sold. Like Everton fans the Koeman
will not want to lose the attacking midfielder, as losing him would mean
having to try and find a replacement in the summer.
Despite Barkley being criticised, he is still highly-regarded.
Tottenham have been linked with a £30million move for the midfielder
this summer. Morning reports suggest that Manchester United’s Jose
Mourinho is also eying up a summer move for Barkley.
The noises coming out of the Barkley camp echo those coming out of
the Romelu Lukaku camp, the old ‘I want Champions League’ football.
Everton left it slightly too late
Unfortunately for the Blues, it seems they have left it slightly too
late to qualify for the Champions League this season. The Toffees are
fifth in the Premier League table and trail arch-rivals Liverpool who
are fourth by six points. However, Jurgen Klopp’s side have a game in
hand.
The teams below Everton in sixth and seventh, Manchester United and
Arsenal respectively have three games in-hand on the Toffees. The
Merseysiders are now paying for a mid-season run of just one win in 13
games. A few more wins and they could now be serious contenders for a
top-four place.
For the club to progress, they need to strengthen and most of all
keep hold of their best players, both Barkley and Lukaku fall into that
category. The midfielder’s situation is slightly different to Lukaku.
The Belgian striker may like Everton. However, he has no major
emotional ties to the Merseyside club. Barkley, on the other hand, has
emotional ties to both the club and the city.
This summer Barkley faces a big decision. The majority of Everton
fans love him and he loves the club. However, if he feels that he is not
going to fulfil his ambitions with the Toffees then he may well move on
in the summer, which could be to the detriment of everybody involved.
