Michael Ball: Everton greatly miss a midfielder like Ross Barkley
Former Everton defender Michael Ball believes the Toffees have missed someone in the mould of Ross Barkley in their squad this season.
The 27-year old playmaker left Everton for Chelsea in January 2018 under tumultuous circumstances, angering a larger majority of the club’s fan base.
After refusing to sign a new contract with the club in the summer of 2017, Barkley ‘changed his mind’ over a £35million summer move to Chelsea, only to sign for them for £15million six months later having not played a minute of Everton’s season.
Summer signings Abdoulaye Doucoure, Allan and James Rodriguez have all impressed in their debut season on Merseyside, but none of the trio possess the raw power and ability to drive forward in possession of the ball in the same way that Barkley often did.
Speaking to Football FanCast, Ball believes that Everton are missing someone of Barkley’s ability and style of play at Goodison Park.
Ball said: “It was really disappointing that Ross left in the first place, and the manner he left, there’s probably still a bitter taste in a lot of fans’ mouths right now. But Ross is the type of player Everton have missed for two seasons.
“The midfielders Everton currently have are good technical players, they can pass the ball, but they’re very passive, no pace, no direction of going forward, and that’s Ross Barkley’s strength.
“He picks the ball up in dangerous areas and he likes to drive and take on his opposition and get into those number ten areas.”
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At one point in time Everton had fully committed to building a team around Ross Barkley, right after Romelu Lukaku refused to sign a new contract and right before Barkley himself decided to throw in the towel.
Formerly dubbed Everton’s ‘diamond’ by supporters of the club, Barkley had everything to succeed at Goodison Park. Plenty of talent, belief in his ability and supporters that, while occasionally hard on him, were largely supportive of a boyhood Evertonian living the dream.
It’s almost impressive how quickly he tarnished his reputation and disposed of all of that goodwill.
Ball does have a point though. None of Everton’s current crop of players have the ability to dictate offensive movements in midfield through energy and drive. James Rodriguez has the ability on the ball but he doesn’t move dangerous in possession of it.
Described by former Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri as a “complete” player, Barkley’s style of play would see him fit seamlessly into Everton’s current set-up, though his form this season has been less than inspiring.
Some fans would take him back, others definitely wouldn’t, but it’s difficult to deny that there is a Barkley shaped hole in Everton’s midfield.
In other Everton news, ‘They would take him’ – Pundit backs Blues to sign ‘Incredible’ 9-goal PL attacker.
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