Everton’s 2016-17 Naughty or Nice list

NAUGHTY – Ross Barkley

It just hasn’t quite clicked for Everton’s Ross Barkley this season.

The England international started the season with a goal against Tottenham and an assist against West Brom in the succeeding game, but since then he has registered just one more goal and one more assist from 14 appearances.

And, for a player whose quality we have all seen before, that is simply not good enough.

Barkley didn’t have a great Merseyside derby on Monday, and was perhaps fortunate to stay on the pitch for a horrendous tackle on Jordan Henderson.

It was perhaps another indication that he isn’t quite where many expected him to be.

Koeman has challenged him to improve, and he did well against Arsenal last week, but there needs to be more consistency in his game.

At the moment though, that’s not there.