Bent frustrated by talented Everton star
There’s no doubt that Everton winger Bernard is one of the most preternaturally gifted players at Goodison Park at this moment in time.
The Brazilian has fantastic ability on the ball, something he has displayed in fits and starts throughout his time on Merseyside.
The fact that he’s not been able to conjure it up on a more regular basis is a source of much frustration amongst the club’s fanbase.
Indeed, even former England international Darren Bent has been left baffled by the 27-year-old’s battles with inconsistency.
“Bernard, he’s just got that explosive pace, trickery, can get past people – the only thing about him is that with the ability that he’s got, he should be doing more,” he told Football Insider.
“He should have done so much more, he’s one of the players where can frustrate you a little bit. You know he’s got the ability, you know full well it’s in there, if he put it in all the time he could put in performance after performance.
“When he fancies it and he’s playing well, he can destroy anybody, he can rip teams apart. There’s too many inconsistent performances.”
Does Bernard need to be doing more?
Well, it’s hard to say, because he’s done more than most Everton players this season. However, proportionate to his ability, he probably could be doing better.
He has two goals and two assists this season, which isn’t a bad return but is hardly elite either. However, he has achieved a WhoScored rating of above 7.00 for three of his past four games, so he is rounding into form under Carlo Ancelotti.
You do get the sense that the former Shakhtar Donetsk man is now finding the consistency which has proved elusive in a blue shirt, which should spell bad news for the Toffees’ opponents moving forward.
In other Everton news, one of the club’s central midfielders has hinted that he wants to leave the Blues.