da bet esporte： Everton manager Ronald Koeman has insisted that he wants Ross Barkley to sign a new contract at Goodison Park, but hints that the midfielder may want to move on.
What’s the word?
da dobrowin： Now is the time when clubs sit down with players that have just over a year left on their contracts.
It appears that Barkley is one figure that Koeman wants to tie down to fresh terms, despite his public criticism of the midfielder in the early stages of the season.
The 23-year-old had to fight for his place, spending a handful of games among the substitutes, but since the end of December he has started every match, scoring two goals and making three others in the process.
This week, Koeman told reporters that the club intend to offer Barkley a new deal, but the manager’s comments may cause concern among fans.
The Mirror quotes the Dutchman as saying:
“I spoke to Ross in Dubai about the future and like everybody he likes to win titles and play Champions League football. But he has still one more year of contract, and we, at Everton, like to keep the best players and he has shown this season he is improving, and different positions for the team. He is doing well.
“That is true [that Goodison Park is the best place for him], but that can be our opinion and the player, his agent and family can have a different opinion about this, but I don’t know.
“I spoke to board about his situation, we like to bring and show the confidence that we have in the player to sign a new contract. What we can do is to show the best for him as a platform to grow and to improve as a player and the final decision is always by the player.”
Should Everton be worried?
Barkley has not given any public indication that he wants to leave his boyhood club, but Koeman’s comments do suggest that the midfielder may be feeling unsettled.
The midfielder has been associated with Everton since joining the academy in 2005, and even though the Toffees are the closest challengers to the top six in the Premier League, there are still a distance off being regarded as one of the elites.
Barkley is still young, so the desire to play Champions League football should not influence a desperate move given that he has plenty of years to compete at that level.
Being a boyhood fan, the midfielder would probably prefer to reach that feat with Everton, but if they do not become contenders over the next few years, perhaps then will be the time to leave.
Barkley’s England future is also likely to play a part in his decision, as he has not featured in a Three Lions squad since last summer’s European Championships.
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