Thierno Barry
Thierno Barry’s recent move to Everton from Villarreal has been met with a mix of excitement and caution. The 22-year-old French forward, who joined the Toffees for a reported fee of £27 million, is expected to quickly adapt to the demands of the Premier League. Barry’s impressive record of 11 goals in 35 LaLiga appearances last season helped Villarreal secure a fifth-place finish and a spot in the Champions League. However, former Everton striker Louis Saha has emphasized the need for Barry to swiftly acclimate to his new environment to bolster Everton’s attacking options alongside Beto and Youssef Chermiti, following Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s departure.
Louis Saha said: “Those kinds of moves feel like you have a bit more of a guarantee, because French players adapt very quickly into the Premier League. I feel confident that he’s got the quality to do that, but it’s a step up. You still have to adapt very quickly because Everton can’t afford to have the same start as they’ve had in previous years. I still feel very confident he’s got the ability to provide the kind of goals that they need. Last year I thought Calvert-Lewin and other players couldn’t finish the opportunities. They created quite a few opportunities, especially when David Moyes arrived and they managed to grab some points here and there. But they need more confidence because they played some great football toward the end of the season and Moyes knows that those types of players that are fast and provide unpredictability can be very interesting.”
Everton’s manager David Moyes has also expressed the urgency of strengthening the squad, stating the need to sign ‘nine or 10 players’ before the new season begins. This comes after Everton’s 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth in the Premier League Summer Series, highlighting the challenges the team faces.
Louis Saha continued: “I think they need a playmaker. Getting a striker is done now, but you need to keep Branthwaite and get more in defence, as this team struggles to find stability when they start the season. It’s more about creating a squad than buying new players. I think the players are good. I’ve seen what they’ve managed to do, especially the last 10 to 15 games since Moyes arrived. But even before I felt with the previous manager, they were good players. I was surprised that they couldn’t finish games. They always managed to disappear for 20-25 minutes. So it was more mentality. And then when David Moyes arrived, I think he connected something that was missing. Even with the fans, they almost understood the tactics way more. But I do think with a few additions it will provide them stability because in the past when they had a few injuries, they struggled straight away.”
Saha, who scored 35 goals in 115 appearances for Everton, believes that while Barry’s signing is a step in the right direction, the club must also focus on acquiring a playmaker to ensure stability and creativity on the field. The former striker’s insights underscore the importance of a balanced squad that can withstand the rigors of a Premier League season, especially in light of past struggles with injuries and inconsistency.
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