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Everton boss Ronald Koeman expresses fears over Ross Barkley
EVERTON manager Ronald Koeman admits he is uncertain whether Ross Barkley will go on to fulfil his undoubted potential.
Everton fan: Koeman is making Ross Barkley a "scapegoat"
Barkley has been tipped for greatness with club and country ever since he burst on to the scene as a raw teenager five years ago.
The midfielder’s attributes as a player have seen him favourably compared to the likes of Paul Gascoigne and Michael Ballack.
But Barkley, 23, has suffered a dip in form this season which has seen him lose his place in the England squad and dropped to the Everton bench by Koeman.
And when asked if there was a concern that Barkley might never scale the heights for which he seemed destined Koeman offered a tentative reply.
“I am not sure, I am not sure,” said Koeman. “Ross needs to improve to be the player that maybe everyone expected when he was 18 or 19.
“I had the same stories in Holland with players who, when they were 16 or 17, they were too good in the academy.
Everton ace Ross Barkley has underperformed this season
Ronald Koeman has urged Ross Barkley to improve at Everton
“They didn’t really have competition because they were stronger or they were a better player than the rest.
“But then they step up a level and everyone is strong, everybody is a good player, and still you need to make a difference. And that is more difficult.”
Barkley was fortunate not to be sent off in Monday’s Merseyside derby defeat for a dangerous lunge on Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson.
As a boyhood Evertonian from Liverpool, Barkley perhaps played with his heart rather than his head but Koeman believes he must learn to control his aggressive streak.
“Of course it was not the kind of tackle you want to do. If the referee saw a repeat of that tackle then he would send Ross off,” said the Everton manager.
“I don’t like that type of aggression, that is too much. You can do a lot with the ball between you and your opponent but these kind of tackles are not good.
Ross Barkley clashed with Jordan Henderson during the Merseyside derby
“Maybe that type of aggression meant he lost a bit of control in that action but he is working hard.”
Koeman believes Barkley has the capability to play either “the No 8 or No 10 position” but admits he must become more consistent with his performances.
“He needs to improve the tactical aspect of his football, out of his position, he needs to be more clinical and have more creativity in the offensive part of the team,” said Koeman.
“It’s the same what we want from him whether we play four against four or five against five in training – that he is shooting, scoring goals and giving assists.
“Now he needs to change sometimes because that action in our half is the same action as what he is doing in the opponent’s half.
“He can improve with experience, by studying clips, by talking, all these things. He is on a good way but he is still not that player that maybe he can be in the future.”
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