As the transfer window slammed shut, many Everton fans may have been left disappointed with the lack of a ‘number 10’ Roberto Martinez had so confidently claimed he would add to the team over the course of the transfer window. As we know, this didn’t materialise.
With the Yarmolenko ship potentially sailing or quite possibly sinking, what’s next?
Everton target Yarmolenko in action against the Toffees in the Europa League
Ross Barkley
Although this news may be not be the best for the Everton fans, who crave a player that can create goals out of nothing, it will surely be positive for Ross Barkley and his development.
Ross seems to be the main candidate to fill in the ‘number 10’ role, which may have been his preferred position when he smashed home his first senior Everton goal at Carrow Road in Roberto Martinez’s first competitive game in charge of Everton.
In his debut season he seemed to have more freedom with the opposition maybe not knowing what to expect. But the 2014/15 season started disastrously with a long-term injury sidelining the powerful midfielder for several months. The bad times seemed to continue for Ross with his goals and assist numbers falling and frustrated fans often getting on the back of the young man, which prevented his potential from shining through.
Roberto Martinez then opted to change the 21-year-old’s position, often playing him out wide which wasn’t very beneficial to the player or team, he was also tried in the centre midfield role which subsequentally brought one of his best performances in that particular season, as he grabbed a trademark goal in a 3-1 win over QPR.
Ross Barkley nets after a powerful run vs QPR (2014/15)
As the games go by in the 2015/16 season Ross has started to show signs of his old form. With a goal against Watford on the opening day, followed by an assist for Romelu Lukaku and another fine strike in the win at Southampton, Barkley started the season brilliantly.
Two solid but not extraordinary outings against better opposition in Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur left Ross in the England squad for the Euro 2016 qualifiers, where he opened his account for England as he helped them qualify for next summer’s championships.
Time to push on.
Ross must now continue to show Roberto Martinez and the Everton fans that he is capable of performing at a level which will see opposition teams fear him again. He will also want to impress Roy Hodgson with a place in the Euro 2016 squad in mind.
In order to do this he must continue to do what he has started, racking up goals and assists will be vital if he is to fill the void left by failings in the transfer window. It’s time for Ross to prove we really do have a diamond on our hands.
