Everton’s Ross Barkley has stepped-up his game in recent months
Everton and England playmaker Ross Barkley has long been regarded as one of the brightest young talents the English game has produced in recent years. However, the 23-year-old has often flattered to deceive in his football career so far.
Under Dutch boss Ronald Koeman the playmaker finally seems to be producing more consistency on the field. He understands the game better, which can only benefit his development.
A rough ride under Koeman
Ronald Koeman was a big character during his playing days and known as a guy who did not shirk a challenge. In his managerial career, he has often been brutally honest about his teams and players.
Barkley came in for some tough love earlier this season when his boss thought he was not quite delivering what he had needed him to. The midfielder found himself dropped from the starting line-up. He was also substituted on a number of occasions, as Koeman attempted to find a winning formula.
That was Koeman attempting to get a reaction from the England international. To drag some more of that undoubted talent of Barkley. The midfielder could have sulked and asked for a transfer. However, Barkley does not seem that sort of character.
We are now seeing a player who is working harder and making better decisions on the ball. Now the fans are seeing more of what they expected when Barkley first broke into the first team at Everton. In essence Koeman’s decisions earlier in the season have brought the best out of Barkley.
The playmaker is immensely talented. However, at times he made the wrong decision when in possession of the ball, giving it away or missing a chance to create an opportunity.
However, the fact that Barkley has created more opportunities than any of his Toffees teammates this season shows that he is getting it right more often than not.
Barkley now a senior member of the squad
A recent interview with Sky Sports revealed a lot about Barkley’s new found maturity. In an extract from that interview he said: “Obviously I’m a little bit older now and over the years, I’ve got a lot of games under my belt in the first team. So I’m feeling more responsibility. I’ve become more vocal in the changing room and on the pitch. I understand now the different games and the different approaches that you need to take at different times, with different styles of play.
“I’ve got a defensive responsibility as well as trying to get goals and assists. I’m trying to do that. You can never stop learning in football and I’m always trying to take little things on board that other players do. I’ve added a bit more composure on the ball and defensively got a bit cuter and improved in one-on-ones. I’m trying to play a more mature game.”
Having the likes of youngsters Mason Holgate, Ademola Lookman and in particularly Tom Davies around him has almost forced the midfielder to mature. It seems to have brought the best out in him.
He seems to have stepped up his game. The midfielder wants to be the key man that his team relies on to make things happen from whatever position he occupies. This season he has scored five times and also produced five assists.
Everton set for a test at Tottenham
Everton are unbeaten in nine games in the Premier League. However, the Merseysiders face a difficult trip to Tottenham on Sunday lunchtime, a game the Toffees are odds of 17/4 to win.
Ronald Koeman’s side have been on a good run of form of late. Spurs have won their last eight home games in the top-flight, so will offer a major test to the Merseysiders form at the weekend.
The Spurs game could be an ideal one for Barkley to prove that he has made real progress in recent months. Everton will need all their top players firing to get anything from their trip to north London. Barkley falls into that category.
Ross Barkley was once over-hyped and then criticism for not living up to that hype. It seems he may now have found a happy median between the two. His performances have improved of late and hopefully, he can keep improving for the Toffees.
Is Ross Barkley now showing more maturity in his game?
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