Barkley told he has to perform
ROSS BARKLEY has been told to use his demotion from Everton’s starting line-up as a “wake-up call”, with boss Ronald Koeman continuing his hard-line approach with the midfielder.
Barkley’s run of 55 consecutive league appearances for the club came to a halt last Saturday when he was left on the bench throughout the 1-1 draw against Manchester City. Koeman insists he gives the 22-year-old more “attention” than many of his team-mates but said: “Maybe last weekend was a good wake-up call for him.
“It was the best line-up to have the best chance against City. He was disappointed, but he is training well.
“He knows exactly what I expect because maybe he is one of the players who has the most attention from the manager. He needs the support of the manager but the manager will always select the best XI to start a particular game.
“That means you can be left out because you are not happy with the performances of an individual player or you are making a tactical decision, but he knows he needs to improve.
“Yes he’s young but, after four years of playing in the Premier League, don’t mention that too much. He is experienced and he needs to perform. That’s what everybody needs to do.”
Everton face Burnley tomorrow, when Barkley could come back into contention. “We played a bit differently to normally against City,” said Koeman. “I did not start with him but it could be different this time.”
Leighton Baines could be out for up to three weeks after suffering a recurrence of a hamstring injury.