Jun 19, 2014; Sao Paulo, BRAZIL; England midfielder Ross Barkley (21) against Uruguay during the 2014 World Cup at Arena Corinthians. Uruguay defeated England 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The date is August 17, 2013 and Everton are playing against Norwich City at Carrow Road in their opening match of the Premier League season. It’s Roberto Martinez’s first league game in charge of The Toffees since taking over from David Moyes, and he’s been given the chance to help kick-start a new era for the club.
Keen to bring in a new style of play that will see the club more comfortable on the ball, every fan at the stadium that day will have been aware just how long it’s going to take for Martinez’s legacy to produce some positive effects. Miracles rarely happen overnight, and yet there was one player in the starting line-up that day who made fully sure he had an immediate impact on the club’s fortunes.
With 62 minutes gone on the clock, the visitors are trailing 1-0 and the new manager’s tenure is balancing dangerously on the precipice of getting off to the worst possible start thanks to a Steven Whittaker goal. The pressure is on, but it’s no problem. Because then 19-year-old Ross Barkley has something up his sleeve – an absolute wonder goal more than worthy of snatching a win.
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After some decent work from Seamus Coleman on the right flank, the Republic of Ireland international jinked his way this way and that before finding himself deep inside the Norwich defence. Cutting a nicely weighted pass back for the precocious Barkley, he took a few touches of the ball before unleashing a belter of a shot past John Ruddy to level the scores up. And although they went on to draw the game, it was for the young Englishman’s heraldry that it’s worth remembering.
It was the perfect way to announce his arrival on the scene – and it was his first league goal for the club, a great honour for one of their youth products.
And he’s still going strong today, as underlined by his Man Of The Match display against Manchester City on Saturday evening.
No doubt, supporters of the club will feel a sense of relief at the news that Manchester City have not yet made a bid for his services, as reported by the Daily Mail. Because, at the end of the day, it’s hard to imagine just how club owner Bill Kenwright could possibly turn down a huge bid from the Mansour Sheikh-owned outfit. And with figures of up to, and even beyond, £30 million being bandied about, this summer could well see the 22-year-old make his journey to the Etihad.
So, it’s vitally important Martinez continues to utilise the young star while he’s still on board, because he’s such a motivational influence. In short, when he’s on top form, the team are in a much better position to win points. So, it’s no coincidence Everton have seen their results drop off due to his lengthy spell on the treatment table.
Again, reflecting back on their weekend display against the Citizens, Barkley was on the bench until the hour mark. A strange decision from the dugout to leave him out of the starting line-up, they paid the price for it in the end as he simply didn’t have enough time to make a decisive mark on the game – who knows, if he had been on the pitch from the start, they could have snatched a win against an out-of-sorts side who looked nothing like reigning champions.
And sure, the club are building towards a bright, long-term goal with plenty of quality youngsters among their ranks, but it’s him who has the magic touch to be the creative hub, to add that much-needed quality presence. He’s a footballing philosopher of the modern game. And although he’s not as developed or accomplished as Manchester United legend Paul Scholes, he’s definitely in the same mould.
If he can stick it out with Everton and ride through the rough patch they currently find themselves, we could see Everton have quite a memorable campaign. And with Barkley now seemingly back to full fitness, with one or two appropriate signings come January, they might see themselves become crowned Europa League champions come the end of the season. And Barkley will be the engine behind that push.
How important is Barkley to Everton? Can he win some silverware with them this season?