What Thierno Barry has done to turn around 'rollercoaster' Everton developments
Thierno Barry has taken the pressure of being Everton's only striker very well so far.
The young Frenchman struggled with the expectations at the Hill Dickinson Stadium after joining in a £34.5million deal from Villarreal.
The 23-year-old managed eight goals in his debut season in the Premier League.
That is not a bad tally at all, but off-field events and his lack of composure led to being booed by his own supporters.
However, Barry has turned it around with five goals in seven matches in all competitions so far this season.
Now, it has been revealed how he managed to get himself to the required level.
How did Thierno Barry overcome his Everton struggles?
The Blues star shared a video recently which showed him in tears after a private training session with Scott Chickelday.
Speaking to Sky Sports in a piece released on Thursday, he said: “He was on the floor when I met him and that video obviously shows it.
“When you play badly as a player you get labelled for picking up your money and not caring.
“That video, a lot of Everton supporters have looked at it and thought, ‘you know what, yes, he does bloody care’.
“He has had a big pre-season, putting himself in extra camps to get fit, to get himself mentally tougher.
“He has come back mentally stronger, we worked on his finishing and he has come back flying.
“It has been a rollercoaster for him, getting booed by his own fans and being cheered like a hero, all these ups and downs.”
Why Everton needed Barry to have that exact reaction
David Moyes will be relieved that Barry put in that extra work and had the motivation to pick himself back up.
It could have very easily gone the other way and he may have come back with self-doubt and underperformed.
The failure to sign Folarin Balogun on deadline day, has put so much more pressure on Moyes and Barry, but so far it has all worked out.
Hopefully, the shift in mentality continues and when he next encounters hardship, the Toffees ace can bounce right back immediately and proves that he has what it takes.
A new level of mental fortitude would certainly help him succeed in becoming an icon with the Evertonians and making a long-term impact in the Premier League.
Right now, he is the only recognised number nine at the L3 club, but he may have a battle on his hands when a new man comes through the door, whether that is a revived Balogun deal or someone else.
After his training with Chickelday, and the attitude he has taken from those sessions, he will fancy himself to beat off any challengers who try to take his place in the side.