Everton have qualified for the Europa League this season, having beaten Ruzemberok and Hajduk Split, in the qualifying rounds. They have already brought in a number of new players during the summer transfer window and are looking forward to making it a good season in terms of results in domestic as well as European tournaments.
The Merseyside club have announced the names of players who have been included in the squad for the Europa League and it has come as a shock to many to see the name of one player on that list, who was considered as an outcast at Goodison Park following his rift with the club and the coach over a new contract.
Ross Barkley, who denied to pen down a new contract with the Toffees in the last term, making speculations rife about his departure from the club this summer. He was also poised to make a move to Stamford Bridge and had reportedly appeared for the medical. However, the player had a sudden change of heart regarding the move due to his injury that has kept him out of the action for quite some time now and left the West London club to scupper the move on the deadline day.
This inclusion of the English midfielder has raised a number of eyebrows, as he has doubts over his future with the Merseyside club and might make a move out the club as early as January next year, with fellow Premier League club Tottenham in the calling. A number of experts are also of the opinion that the player has denied the move to Chelsea because of his potential and preferable move to the North London club.
Now that the midfielder is on the side, the man in charge Ronald Koeman might look to use him in the Europa League this season. Though it looks quite unlikely, if given the opportunity, keeping in mind his fitness issue, the Englishman can be a good addition to the lineup for the Toffees, who are well aware of the fact that they will have to face some of the top clubs in Europe while playing in the Europa League.
The player is known for his versatility and his ability to play in a number of positions in the midfield. The Toffees can use this to the full effect, in case they opt to play him in the lineup, which looks quite unlikely as the player might look to make it into the Tottenham side in the next transfer window
