Everton must build their attack around Barry

Everton’s misfiring strikers Thierno Barry and Beto have hindered the club’s chances of securing European qualification at the end of this season. The Toffees’ tally of 44 goals is the lowest of any team currently in the top 10, and is a factor which is no doubt giving manager David Moyes sleepless nights.

However, Barry’s brace against Manchester City on Monday night highlighted why the solution to the problem could be right under the manager’s nose.

Barry showcases his potential

The young Frenchman has been widely criticised over the past few weeks, but he proved to be a Everton must build their attack around Barry after replacing Beto against title-chasing City.

He scored on either side of Jake O’Brien’s goal to make it 3-1 to Everton. But for a late fightback by City, the Toffees would have collected three points.

While the 23-year-old still has plenty to prove, his cameo highlighted why he is a better long-term option than Beto for Everton. Beto has been in reasonable form in recent weeks, but blotted his copybook with a truly dreadful performance against Pep Guardiola’s side.

Quite why Moyes persevered with Beto until after the hour mark is anyone’s guess, as he would have been justified in replacing him at half-time.

Beto has had plenty of time to prove himself at Everton, but his record of 24 goals in 108 appearances simply isn’t good enough. By contrast, Barry’s performance against Man City demonstrated that he has the ability to cause problems for the top teams in the Premier League.

Physicality is Barry’s biggest strength

Barry’s physicality is his biggest attribute, a point evidenced by the Premier League record 14 aerial duels he won against Manchester United in November. The Frenchman’s overall statistical profile is similar to Beto’s, but he has the advantage of being five years younger than his teammate. Beto is supposed to be in his prime, yet has rarely shown that he has the ability to lead the line for a club which harbours hopes of European qualification.

His supporters will point to his recent tally of four goals in fixtures against Chelsea, Brentford and Liverpool, but they prove little in the grand scheme of things. He had scored just four goals prior that brief run of form, which is an extremely poor return for a Premier League striker.

Barry’s goalscoring record is also nothing to write home about, although his cause has not been helped by spending a sizeable part of the season on the bench. His physical style coupled with the belief that he still has time to improve makes him the sensible choice to lead Everton’s attack next season.

Moyes’ comments paint a positive picture for Barry

Moyes recent comments about Barry following the Merseyside derby against Liverpool highlighted that he still believes he will come good.

“I am saying a general thing here, and it is that football supporters are not having much patience with many things.

“You might not get two or three years to become that player. There is a bigger emphasis on – we need things now and we are looking for that to happen quickly. It is not just here at Everton. I think all clubs are the same.

“He is young as well, first year in the country, at the moment we have four games to go and if he scores a couple of goals, you might say it has not been the worst return for a young centre-forward.”

Having watched Barry get those couple of goals against City, Moyes may feel he has taken a big step towards proving he can carry the club’s goalscoring burden next season.