Dion Dublin pinpoints Thierno Barry frustration as Everton goals prediction made

Thierno Barry is off and running for Everton in the 2026-27 Premier League season.

After a slightly underwhelming debut 2025-26 campaign on Merseyside, the jury has remained out on Barry as an Everton player.

The 23-year-old netted eight times in 41 total appearances last term, flashing his ability in bursts rather than on a consistent basis.

However, the Frenchman is clearly a striker with plenty of talent and potential, and one that David Moyes has faith in.

This was evidenced in Everton's opening day 2-0 win over Crystal Palace, in which Barry started and played 79 minutes in.

But despite finding the net on Saturday, Dion Dublin has summarised the lingering frustration surrounding him which underlines why he's a divisive talent.

What did Dion Dublin say about Thierno Barry vs Crystal Palace?

Should Barry put it all together, then Everton will have a top striker on their hands.

Perhaps this is the season he really starts to do that, as including pre-season, he's now scored three in his last four appearances.

Speaking on Final Score via BBC Sport during Everton's win over Palace, Dublin underlined the main issue facing Barry at present: his finishing.

"It takes a lot of chances for Thierno Barry to get goals. The ball in was great and he was there," he said.

"He gets up early and challenges the two centre halves. He heads it into the ground and scores a goal."

But what does Dublin believe Barry needs to focus on doing in order to unlock his full Everton goalscoring potential?

"He'll get a lot of goals if he just stays in and around that centre-forward position," he concluded.

So, was Barry particularly wasteful against Palace, and just how good were his underlying numbers from the curtain-raising victory?

Why Barry showed clinical potential in Everton win vs Palace

As per FotMob, in 2025-26, Barry ranked in the bottom 16.3 percentile of all Premier League strikers for his 0.66 shots on target per game.

Meanwhile, he also placed in the lowest 18.4 per cent for his 1.79 shots per 90 minutes; numbers that back up Dublin's assessment of him even further.

However, Saturday could be the first sign of Barry turning a corner in this regard.

Everton's number 11 only took two shots all afternoon, with one being from a considerable distance out and the other being his well-taken headed goal on 53 minutes.

Barry thus outperformed his 0.44 expected goals (xG) from the match, whilst he also completed 12 of his 15 pass attempts and created one chance.

So, a goal conversion rate of 50 per cent is not a bad way to open the new season at all.

And whilst it's obviously unlikely he stays around that average all season, it's at least a sign that he's growing into a deadly Everton marksman.