AliousOver the past few seasons, Everton supporters have endured a series of nail-biting campaigns, with the club consistently finding itself embroiled in relegation battles. The Toffees, once regular contenders for European spots, have narrowly avoided relegation in the last three seasons, finishing 15th, 17th, and 16th respectively. This stark decline has been a far cry from their previous status as consistent top-half finishers with aspirations of breaking into the top four.
Under Sean Dyche’s management, Everton faces another challenging season, currently sitting in 16th place. However, despite their lowly position, there are glimmers of hope within the squad, with one player, in particular, showing potential to become the next Ross Barkley-esque figure for the club.
Ross Barkley’s tenure at Everton was marked by excitement and promise. Before his career took a downturn at Chelsea and subsequent revival at Luton Town, Barkley was a beloved homegrown talent at Goodison Park. His standout 2015/16 season, where he contributed 12 goals and 11 assists across all competitions, epitomized his importance to the team, often combining effectively with striker Romelu Lukaku.
Barkley’s departure to Chelsea for £15 million in 2017 left a sour taste among Everton fans, similar to the recent exit of Anthony Gordon to Newcastle United. Despite the acrimonious split, Barkley’s overall contribution of 27 goals and 25 assists during his time at Everton was significant.
In the current squad, Dwight McNeil is emerging as a player who could potentially fill the void left by Barkley. Originally deployed as a winger during his time with Dyche at Burnley, McNeil has found new life in the number ten role at Everton – the same position Barkley excelled in. This positional shift has proven to be a masterstroke, with McNeil’s performances in central areas far outshining his contributions from the wing this season.
McNeil’s impact was particularly evident in Everton’s crucial 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace, where he scored twice from his central position, helping secure the team’s first league win of the season. His ability to find space and deliver decisive strikes from this new role suggests he’s finding more freedom and influence in the center of the pitch than he ever did on the flanks.
Described as a “magic” talent by football journalist Joe Thomas, McNeil appears to be coming into his own under Dyche’s guidance. His performances could prove pivotal for Everton as they seek to climb the table and avoid another relegation scrap.
As Everton prepares for their upcoming fixture against Ipswich Town, much attention will be on McNeil to see if he can continue his impressive form in this new role. If he maintains his current trajectory, comparisons with Barkley may become more frequent, potentially establishing himself as the creative lynchpin Everton has been missing since Barkley’s departure.
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