Allardyce will still pick Barkley even if he is leaving Everton
Sam Allardyce would have no qualms about picking Ross Barkley for Everton, even though the midfielder is at “loggerheads” with the club over his future and unlikely to agree a new contract.
Barkley, whose deal expires in the summer, has not played this season following hamstring surgery in August. The 24-year-old edged closer to a return to firstteam action this week after he featured in a behind-closeddoors friendly.
He will not be considered for today’s visit of Chelsea – whom Barkley almost joined on transfer deadline day – but is expected to return early next month. That could mean Barkley would be available for the third-round FA Cup tie with Liverpool at Anfield.
“I wouldn’t have any hesitation about playing Ross Barkley, purely because of his experience and his talent,” Allardyce said. “How he uses that talent is the big question for Ross now. He had a knock-back with the injury, he’s been at loggerheads with the club over his future but that has been out of my hands. “I would say it doesn’t look likely [that he will sign a deal]. I will use him because he is contracted to the club. I don’t think he would ever shirk his responsibility.” Allardyce also revealed he wants a striker and full-back when the transfer window opens. The manager also admitted that he was “very interested” in Sevilla midfielder Steven Nzonzi. Everton published their annual accounts yesterday, which revealed that majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri had paid £150million to help the club deal with shortterm and long-term debts, as they announced a post-tax profit of £30 million.