View: Everton should give Bernard chance to play in end of season run-in
Everton looked to have pulled off somewhat of a coup when they signed Bernard in 2018, with the Brazilian then interesting a host of Premier League clubs.
Having left Shakhtar Donetsk upon the expiry of his contract with the Ukrainian outfit, Bernard joined the Toffees for a free transfer, despite interest from Chelsea and West Ham.
Bernard was a regular for Everton in his first season at Goodison Park, playing 34 times in the Premier League, however his game time has decreased over the seasons with the winger having played just nine league games in the current campaign.
The 28-year old has suffered from injury this season, but even when fit he hasn’t been a regular under Carlo Ancelotti, with the Italian preferring Alex Iwobi to Bernard, despite the fact that Ancelotti has never shown complete faith in the former Arsenal man.
Bernard took to life on Merseyside in fine fashion, using his small frame and lighting speed to confidently and effectively attack opposing full-backs, but it’s been a long time since he has shown that trickery and threat in an Everton shirt.
Quite why that is remains unclear, but it did lead Everton to push for his sale in the last transfer window, with the Toffees asking for £9million for his signature.
Unfortunately for the Blues and for Bernard, an 11th hour move to Saudi Arabian club Al-Nasr fell through, leaving him on the sidelines at Goodison Park.
Now back fit and on the fringes of Ancelotti’s first-team, the Italian coach must be wondering what to do with the mercurial speedster. The answer: let him play.
Bernard doesn’t seem to be in Everton’s plans going forward and so a summer exit seems most likely, but while he’s available it would strange not to take advantage of his obvious talents.
The Toffees have been injury-ridden over the past few months, but even when they have all their options available they don’t possess much strength out wide.
Alex Iwobi can’t cut it, James Rodriguez is better in the centre and Seamus Coleman is needed at right-back. With that in mind, and without any other wide options, Bernard should be handed a chance to impress.
It doesn’t seem likely that a decent run of form would persuade Everton to give Bernard another shot, but the Brazilian could have every opportunity to put himself in the shop window as the transfer window approaches.
Leon Osman once compared Bernard to Steven Pienaar, and while his legacy as an Everton player doesn’t quite stack up, he could serve to benefit from receiving game time before the end of the season.
Everton could also reap the rewards through his pace and skill as they push hard to qualify for Europe as they tackle their final six games of the season.
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