BARKLEY’S BANKER Koeman vows to kick-start star’s career

RONALD KOEMAN says the gloves are now off, as far as Ross Barkley is concerned – Everton’s new boss will make him box-to-box clever.

The Dutchman breezed into Goodison Park and wasted little time putting down a marker for the England international.

The 22-year-old’s career stalled last season under Roberto Martinez as the Toffees’ season came to a sticky end.

But Koeman, whi le acknowledging Barkley’s talent, said that it was time for him to showcase his skills – and that, as an England regular, he has to live up to that billing.

So far, the playmaker’s main role with Roy Hodgson in France has been to mimic Gareth Bale as England’s defence prepared for last Thursday’s showdown in Lens. But Koeman, while suggesting that he does not yet know Barkley’s best position, believes the time when he can be considered one of the young ones is over.

He said: “I need to see Ross doing his training sessions and get an opinion on him, 100 per cent.

“He will play in one of the midfield positions, but I don’t know where that will be. I think he is a vital young player for Everton.

“Technically, at the moment, he is playing behind the striker. It’s more of an offensive position than defensive. And I like him as a player.

“He can play either side and he has a good view of the pitch.

“But he needs to improve. He is not a talent any more. he is a national team player and the expectations of him are high – even for a young player. “He needs support – and he will get that support. I’m looking forward to working with him and making him a better player. “But I can only really see when he comes back from training.” Koeman (above) is on £6million a year after Everton p aid S out h - ampton £ 5m to land the Dutch coach – a significant show of faith from new majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri.But it comes with strings attached.

Koeman refused to say that the Champions League was the minimum requirement – he steered clear of a target that former boss Roberto Martinez was happy to endorse three years ago.

Instead, he suggested that Moshiri is very much a man in a hurry. Given that, it would follow that the erstwhile Feyenoord boss will be given money to compete.

Everton’s new boss added: “I don’t like to mention the Champions League.

“There will be changes in the team during the transfer window. At the start of September, you will all know what the team is – and what the squad is.

“But the ambition of the club is a lot higher – that is from the chairman and Farhad Moshiri. “They have a lot of

ambitions.”