Everton were involved in a goalless stalemate against newcomers Middlesbrough on Saturday, although they must have expected all three points from the fixture. The Smoggies were saved by their outstanding stopper in the shape of Victor Valdés who, time and again, saved his side from a lethal attacking setup of the visiting outfit.
Never mind the result from the weekend, Everton’s season so far has been absolutely remarkable. A breeze of change does bring a lot of good at times and the anecdote involving the incoming of Ronald Koeman to the Goodison Park and the subsequent happenings are testaments to that.
Koeman has changed the fortunes of the club by taking them right where they belong, something Roberto Martínez failed to meet during his tenure. The Toffees have seemingly found their steel at the back, creativity in the middle and flamboyance up front to constitute a side which is good enough to outclass any top quality side when they are on a roll.
Group cohesiveness will hold the key whilst going forward and the Dutchman would not take a second’s hesitation to ensure that the core team stay in his books for years. For meeting this need, Koeman is all set to hand a new contract to his side’s scintillating attacker Ross Barkley, according to reports.
The 23-year-old might not have the warmest of relations with the former Southampton gaffer but has arguably done enough to be handed a new contract. In 23 appearances for Everton this term, Everton’s prodigal son has scored 4 goals, bagged 5 assists and created as many as 53 chances. Moreover, he has proved his class by knitting the game meticulously up front, completing 744 passes with a pass accuracy of 83% and thus, it would be safe to believe that he has really converted himself into a complete package this campaign.
The English international might have had patches of jaded form but his potential and calibre has seen a whopping rise. Barkley has merely eighteen months left in his contract and the Merseyside club should leave no stone unturned in securing his long-term future. Koeman’s troops are seventh in the league table, behind the big-six, with 41 points after 25 outings.
Without a doubt, Barkley has had a notable impact and has done enough to be rewarded with a new (and lucrative) contract. Apart from an element of sensitivity involved in the bond existing between Barkley and Koeman, the danger of hungry sharks lining up for the attacking midfielder would tempt the club as well as the player and thus, making him put pen to the paper as soon as possible should hold paramount importance in Everton’s to-do list because it would not be a whimsical one.
Statistics Credits: Squawka.
