Diamond Heist: Part 1

Ross Barkley, Everton’s diamond has joined Chelsea in a bargain deal. This two part article looks at the former Everton diamond’s career and what lessons Everton can learn from Barkley’s departure. Click here for Part 2 of this article.

Barkley’s Bad Break to Breakthrough

Back in 2010, a new name appeared on the Everton subs bench. At the age of 16, Ross Barkley was an unused substitute against Newcastle and Evertonians were excited by their best prospect since Wayne Rooney. The young Barkley was a fearless midfielder who was not afraid of a strong tackle. Unfortunately the collision with Andre Wisdom for the England under 19’s cost him a year of his development. This was to prove crucial to the issues he faced later in his career.

He went on to make his debut in 2011 against QPR and gained praise for his performance from David Moyes. The then Everton manager told the BBC, “Ross [Barkley] should be proud of the way he played today, the way he took responsibility on the ball. He was terrific.”

Growing Pains or Warning Signs?

Barkley had been expected to be an all-round midfielder initially, but on his return from fitness, was played in a more attacking role. As we see nowadays with Lookman and Vlasic, Barkley was not as strong with his defensive positioning. Moyes, following the success of Seamus Coleman at Blackpool, sent Barkley to Sheffield Wednesday on loan. He scored 4 goals in 13 games in his loan spell with the Owls. His return to Yorkshire proved less successful. His struggles at Leeds were a warning of some of the problems he would face in the future.

Leeds United were managed by Neil Warnock at the time. Moyes believed that Warnock could teach Barkley the tactical side of the game. Ross Barkley played only 4 games for Leeds before his loan was terminated. Warnock was under pressure at the time and couldn’t guarantee Barkley football due to his attacking style of play.

Some years later, Warnock told talksport, “I had Ross at Leeds, and he’s an unbelievably good pro. He comes in first thing and he takes free kicks until it goes dark, he trains all the time. But as a manager you can’t really find a system you can trust him in. It’s really difficult with him, because he still loves to turn and take players on in his own half and often loses it. He hasn’t got the responsibility in his make-up regarding as and when to do it, he just does it when he feels like it. I don’t think you can change him in that.”

 

Shine on you Crazy Diamond

It was the following season, under a new manager that Barkley was to find his feet. Roberto Martinez started Ross Barkley in a 2-2 draw at Norwich and Barkley rewarded him with a stunning strike. Barkley started the season on fire, having been given the freedom by his manager to play naturally. Martinez was forever positive about Barkley and extolled his virtues.

“I’ve never seen an English player with that sort of mentality and I have had the privilege to work with many youngsters who have been successful.” Martinez told the Guardian. “We needed to find a role for him, specifically off the ball and then he needs to be able to express himself. We need to give him time and have to recognise a real English diamond. He isn’t ready yet but he has everything to mark a real era in our football.”

Barkley was always protected by Martinez during the Spaniard’s time at Everton.

Unfortunately, Roy Hodgson was the England manager at the time and was of a different view. In a 2014 game against Scotland, Hodgson put Barkley on with 4 minutes remaining. Seconds after entering the game, Hodgson leaped up from his bench and shouted “Ross, ******* put the ball on the wing!” Barkley’s confidence and form dipped during this time, perhaps showing his sensitive nature. The England goldfish bowl put Hodgson under pressure to play him which he was reluctant to do. The former Liverpool manager told press, “There always seems to be an enormous obsession with one player. I’m not prepared to address your obsession with Ross Barkley.”

Barkley: A Blue Diamond

To the delight of Evertonians, Ross Barkley signed a new contract in 2014. With Romelu Lukaku signing permanently a week later, this was a sign that Everton meant business. At the time, Barkley was ecstatic about signing a new deal. In his press conference, Barkley told reporters, “It is my dream to play for Everton. This is the club I love and I see it as home.”

He also tellingly told reporters from the Guardian, “I realise the importance of signing because I remember how I felt when Wayne (Rooney) left. He was one of the best players in the team and we thought we could push on with him at Everton. When he left we were all down as Evertonians. I just wanted to sign and hopefully we can push Everton on together.”

Words that seem hollow now.

Diamond or Glass?

The following season was more of a struggle for Barkley, as it was for the rest of the side. Cracks had started to appear in the togetherness of the squad. The promise of the early performances in the season led to disappointment, with Everton finishing 11^th. Barkley scored 2 goals in that season and questions about his best position grew louder. There were a few murmurs from a small pocket of Evertonians which grew louder the following season.

The 2015-2016 season promised much for Evertonians. Frustratingly though, the team combined attacking verve with defensive naivety. Barkley looked to have found his form early on with goals against Watford and Southampton. Unfortunately, Everton and Barkley couldn’t gain any consistency. Barkley had struggled with a knee injury during the season and Everton struggled defensively. The frustration boiled over at Goodison as the team conceded late goals to Chelsea, Stoke and Bournemouth which derailed a promising league campaign.

The End of a Dream

Martinez, who did not criticise the players in public, was blamed by some supporters for the team’s defensive mistakes. The team were booed off at Goodison a number of times and Barkley scored his last goal of the season in February. At that point he had scored 12 goals in all competitions. A good return for a midfielder. Martinez mentioned looking at a new contract for him in the summer and building a team around Barkley.

Unfortunately, the team fell apart and with it, so did Barkley’s form and confidence. Despite a cup run, the form in the league was lethargic. The team seemed to stop playing for the manager in the league. Embarrassingly, planes flew overhead demanding the manager left. Everton’s disgraceful performances at the end of the season cost Martinez his job. Barkley lost a manager who bolstered his confidence. Martinez replacement would take a different tack. One which hastened his departure from the club he loved.

What were the reasons that Barkley spurned the club he ‘loved?’ Did things change for the ‘Diamond’ when Roberto Martinez left? Let us know in the comments section below. Click here for Part 2 of this article.