Ross Barkley. Diamonds Are Forever
From the start of the season to the end of the calendar year, Ross Barkley scored twice and assisted twice. Barkley had a troublesome start to the Koeman reign at Everton and being involved in just the 4 goals in 17 games tops that off. But since the turn of the year, Barkley’s got 2 goals and 4 assists and has been involved in a further 2 since the Merseyside Derby in mid-December. And it’s no coincidence that Barkley’s impressive revelation roaming from the right of midfield has coincided with the form of an Everton side that’s lost just once in the last 11.
When needed most, Barkley has stepped up and is now enjoying the best spell in his Everton career and is now almost certainly going to regain his spot in the England squad after 3 successive snubs by both Sam Allerdyce and Gareth Southgate. Although most would rather Barkley missing out on another international call up in the hope that he avoids injury ahead of 2 massive games against Liverpool and Man United, its beneficial that Barkley continues to play games and continues to get better as his confidence spirals in the right direction.
Barkley’s had periods of form similar to this that keeps the whole of the Gwladys on its toes, however, this feels different. This isn’t just a midfielder in good form, this is a player in the form of his life, who’s grabbing games by the scruff of the neck, forming a mouth-watering partnership with top scorer Romelu Lukaku and more importantly, a player who looks like he’s enjoying his football again. And that’s when we see the best of Ross. A player who thrives of the confidence and buzz from his players and fans and a player who certainly struggles during the patches of dire and uninspiring football.
Barkely’s revelation has seen him become the player who now dictates games. He’s at the heart of everything Everton do on the pitch right now and with Barkley at the heart and Lukaku up top, it’s a match made in heaven that’s now becoming one of the deadliest combinations in the premier league.
Barkley has just under 18 months running on his remaining on his current contract and Ronald Koeman said following the 3-0 victory on Saturday that contract talks are planned and that himself and the club “will do everything to keep Ross and sign a new contract” and despite saying in December that talks are not currently a priority, I’m sure that situation has changed as the Everton revolution continues as Koeman will want to build his squad around the diamond that is Ross Barkley.