Everton pursue Jackson-like gem in ‘transfer surprise’ – Exclusive
Everton are keen on signing a striker this summer, and have their eyes on a player who could prove to be a valuable long-term asset.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin will leave, meaning depth is necessary upfront, and David Moyes will hope to be backed with quality additions.
Beto did have a productive second half of the season, but Everton may feel an even better option is needed to help them progress higher up the table.
Everton are reportedly keen on Villarreal striker Thierno Barry, and he has now been compared to Chelsea attacker Nicolas Jackson by a La Liga expert.
Barry to Everton verdict given by Villarreal expert
Everton are reportedly ready to bid for Barry, who has a release clause of around £30million, but if he does join this summer, patience will be required.
Speaking exclusively to Goodison News, former VillarrealUSA editor and season ticket holder Jamie Kemble gave his verdict on links between Everton and Barry.
“It would be a surprise to see Villarreal sell as they go into the Champions League, but if they do, Everton fans are probably looking at a not-so-immediate impact,” he stated.
“I’m a big fan of Barry’s, but while he can hold his own, he is not the most physical, and it’s going to take him time to adapt to the Premier League, just like it has with Jackson at Chelsea. Not only that, but Everton play a very different brand of football to Villarreal.”
Barry helped replace Jackson when he moved from Villarreal to Chelsea, and Kemble has drawn comparisons between the two forwards.
“Barry was signed as Nicolas Jackson’s replacement at Villarreal, and while much more condensed, he actually followed a pretty simular line of progress,” he added.
“He arrived looking very raw, perhaps a little too eager to impress. He found himself offside far too many times – an issue he hasn’t totally fixed – and his finishing was rushed, which is not uncommon for a player making a step up, as Barry did.
“But during the season, he adapted well to Marcelino’s style, which is very striker-friendly, and the team adapted to him. By the end of the season, the midfield players – and it must be noted that in Alex Baena and Dani Parejo, Villarreal have midfielders with extraordinary passing ability – started trusting Barry’s pace with balls in behind.
“It took a while for Villarreal to figure out they could do that with Nicolas Jackson, and it proved to be the same with Barry, but on both counts, they got there in the end, and when they did, the goals began to flow.
“Barry didn’t blow the world away in terms of goals, scoring 11 in the league in all, but alongside Ayoze Perez, who outscored him with a superb season, he was a big part of why Villarreal secured Champions League football, and he’s only 21 years of age.”
Everton may need to adapt style to suit Barry
If Barry does join Everton, he may not be a starter ahead of Beto immediately and would need time to adapt to the team and to the Premier League.
Everton may also need to adapt their style to get the best out of him, given that he thrives on running in behind, with a plethora of creativity behind him.
“The Yellow Submarine have world-class passers of the ball in midfield to provide service, and under Marcelino, they put a lot of crosses in the box, with plenty of emphasis on wing play,” Kemble pointed out.
“Barry has thrived on that, and while I think he has a big future wherever he ends up, I do think Barry will need a long runway when playing under someone like David Moyes, who typically likes physical frontmen.”
The 22-year-old scored 11 times in 37 games in his first season in Spain, and has the potential to explode into a top-quality centre-forward in the right conditions, but Moyes would need to ensure he can get the best out of him.