The Heart of Everton Ross Barkley Constant Criticism
When Mario Balotelli played in the Premier League for Manchester City, the constant criticisms, harsh analysis, and articles on his private life led him to publicly ask the question: Why me? The heart of Everton, Ross Barkley, has recently been asking similar questions.
"…with Ross Barkley a growing influence on the side’s recent improvement. The England international came in for severe and repeated criticism from Koeman earlier in the season, prompting the 23-year-old to ask his manager why he was being singled out.“I spoke about this with Ross,” Koeman said. “He mentioned that it is always about him. I said: ‘OK, start to be afraid when they don’t ask about you. Then you need to be afraid. And if the manager is still criticising you as a player then it means he still believes in your qualities. If I don’t talk about you any more than that is when you need to be afraid.’ I understand it is always difficult for him. There are always a lot of comments and questions about him. We had a conversation about this.”Source"
The article from the Guardian was posted two months ago, since then Barkley has been on a roller-coaster of sorts, bouncing about from highs to lows. From earning man of the match awards while the fans belt out his song with all they have, to being assaulted then slandered in the media, to being physically embraced by the Goodison home crowd.
Related Story: Holgate passes test against Burnley
Though the young Scouser has had the ever scrutinous eye of the English public focusing on him harder than ever this season, Ross Barkley has risen to the challenge. In due time, all doubts will be silenced, it is purely a matter of time before he establishes himself as a mature player approaching peak form.
The boo’s may have been loud this season, so loud that Barkley is still yet to sign a new contract with his boyhood club. However, I can’t help but feel that the volume has been coming from a loud minority who have had their say, but now it is time for ours. We don’t want Barkley at our club until his contract expires, we want Barkley at Everton until he retires from football.
Up the Ev.