Everton: So long Gareth Barry – you’ll be missed
By Paul Taylor
Everton have agreed to let Gareth Barry join West Bromwich Albion, after the midfielder expressed his desire to play regular first team football.
It’s interesting how footballers can elicit different reactions, regardless of their talent. Consider how Everton fans reacted to Romelu Lukaku joining Manchester United.
No one denied Lukaku was an excellent goalscorer joining his time on Merseyside, as evidenced by his impressive strike rate of a goal every 1.77 starts. And yet, when he left, Evertonians were mostly okay with this.
Another example involves Ross Barkely and his wish to move elsewhere. Again, no Blues fan would deny his talent and potential, but we’re getting to the point where they likely will be okay with him leaving, (especially if Everton receive a healthy transfer fee in return).
The reason we mention these two players specifically, is to compare them to the likely reaction surrounding the latest news regarding Gareth Barry. As reported by the Mirror‘s Tom Hopkinson, the midfielder will join West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday.
Hopkinson writes that the move was made, after Barry expressed his desire to play regular first team football. Manager Ronald Koeman would have preferred he remained with the Toffees, but reluctantly accepted his midfielder’s decision.
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To say the former England international is respected by everyone at Goodison Park, is an understatement. His leadership will be sadly missed, both on and off the pitch.
In addition, Barry has been an extremely reliable player for the Blues, since first arriving on loan in Sept. 2013. He has proved remarkably durable and consistent, averaging nearly 40 games per season for Everton.
In fact, it is this reliability in general during his career, which has the former Aston Villa trainee on the verge of history. With five more games, he will set a new Premier League record for most appearances by a player.
Count us among those who wish Barry was staying with the Blues, while also respecting his determination to continue playing on a regular basis. With that all said, we wish the 36-year-old all the best, except of course, when WBA play Everton.
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Most Everton fans will respect Barry’s decision to leave, but was it the correct move? Regardless, what is your outstanding highlight from his time with the Blues? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.