Even David Moyes couldn’t help but admit that Thierno Barry has proved him wrong after another two goals against Coventry City on Friday night.
The Frenchman may well be one or two Everton goals away from having the Scotsman join in on what are becoming infamous and wildly choreographed dance routines with every celebration.
If it means European qualification, then perhaps even Moyes won’t hesitate to perform his best side-step in front of those at the Hill Dickinson.
How Thierno Barry turned fortunes around at Everton
When all is said and done, the life of a striker can be boiled down to the law of averages. Take more shots than anyone else, get in the best position more than anyone else, or enjoy bigger chances than anyone else and the goals simply have to arrive at some stage.
The best example to use is Erling Haaland. No one missed more big chances than the Manchester City man in the Premier League last season. But no one scored more goals. He was in the right place so often that those misses turned into goals almost every week.
Fast-forward 12 months and there’s a similar conversation to be had about Thierno Barry.
No player in the Premier League has accumulated a higher xG than the Everton man, only Haaland has scored more league goals and no one has missed more big chances so far this season.
The proof is in the numbers. Barry is in excellent form and when the misses arrive, it has become clear that the goals and dad-dancing will soon follow.
|
Barry in the Premier League 26/27 |
Stats |
Ranking |
|---|---|---|
|
Goals |
6 |
2nd |
|
XG |
9.57 |
1st |
|
Big chances missed |
16 |
1st |
|
Shots per 90 |
3.8 |
7th |
When Everton missed out on Folarin Balogun on deadline day, many believed that it would be season-defining for all the wrong reasons. Barry has flipped that script ever since and has been among the best strikers in the Premier League so far this season.
He’s not the only one who deserves credit on Merseyside, though. Everton have another star signing who is beginning to look like Moyes’ own version of Gerard Deulofeu.
£24m star is Moyes’ very own Deulofeu
Barry deserves plenty of credit for how his numbers have improved, but beyond the goals, the creators around him also deserve a mention.
While Jack Grealish has been out of the side due to indiscipline and fitness issues, others have stepped up to claim their place under Moyes.
A performing frontline was the missing link between European football and a mid-table finish for Everton last time out. That missing link is now beginning to appear every week, as fans dream of life on tour.
A large reason why things have changed is the permanent arrival of Tyrique George. The former Chelsea prospect arrived for as much as £24m in the summer, but has shown plenty of signs that he is a player to watch.
The impressive winger has cemented his place on Merseyside even if he is yet to add goals to his game. Like Deulofeu at his best, George cannot be assessed through goal involvements. His influence stretches beyond that, becoming more important by the week.
By the end of his Everton career, Deulofeu had scored just eight goals and assisted another 17 in 75 games. On paper, it may seem as though he struggled. In reality, he was crucial at times, forming key partnerships with the likes of Romelu Lukaku.
George can take that same path with Barry leading the line.
|
Premier League stats |
George 26/27 |
Deulofeu 16/17 |
|---|---|---|
|
Minutes |
639 |
457 |
|
Goals |
1 |
0 |
|
Assists |
0 |
0 |
|
Take-ons per 90 |
2.82 |
3.94 |
|
Chances created per 90 |
1.69 |
1.97 |
|
Take-on success |
54.1% |
64.5% |
In Deulofeu, Everton had a direct player who could create the chance before the assist. George is similar. The young winger completes almost three take-ons per game and creates 1.69 chances. There’s also every chance that, with years to reach his full potential, the goals arrive and he becomes even better than Deulofeu.
The Toffees have an undeniable prospect on their hands who, alongside Barry, could drive them towards European football this season.
