Henry Winter has run the rule over a number of key Everton players, in an exclusive comment to Read Everton, with particular praise for a number of the attacking players who’ve come into their own at Goodison this year.
Winter said:
“I love watching Everton attack, especially when Barkley, Deulofeu or Lukaku have the ball.”
All three of Deulofeu, Barkley and Lukaku have come in for big praise this year, being the defining feature of the Everton team. Romelu Lukaku has managed to score 16 in the top flight this year, sparking talk he could be set for a move away from The Toffees this summer. Barkley in particular has improved on last season’s poor showing, in which he netted just two goals in 29 league appearances; this year, his tally stands at eight in 26 games.
Winter went on to talk Barkley up more, but played down his England chances: “Barkley’s an immense talent, and more assured in his decision-making, but everyone I talk to around England say they can’t see Rooney and Barkley in the same starting line-up.”
Barkley has played 19 times at senior level for England and is likely to be a starter at this summer’s European Championships, having gone to the World Cup two years ago.
But Winter also had some criticism for the Everton defence, which has proved inconsistent at times: “That defence is worrying. Jagielka should settle it a bit but the obvious flaw in Martinez’s management, his lack of intensive drilling of a defence, is seen again.”
Having taken Everton to 11th in the table this season, Martinez has received heavy criticism at times, with some suggesting he could be on his way soon. Talks about a takeover of the club by an American consortium make that more unlikely until a deal is done, but some fans have called for the Catalonian manager’s departure.
