Koeman predicts big season for Barkley

By his own admissions after a season of not hitting the high notes; midfielder Ross Barkley is back to his best and ready to be a menace in the Premier League this term, that’s according to his manager Ronald Koeman.

New Everton boss Koeman has identified Barkley as a senior figure at Goodison Park this season and even made him skipper for the midweek EFL Cup rout of Yeovil, where the England man also netted.

After the lows of this summer’s European Championship humiliating exit at the hands of Iceland, Barkley has returned from his break in form and scored in the 1-1 draw with Tottenham on the opening day of the season.

With Sam Allardyce having taken over the England post from Roy Hodgson following a below-par Euros, Barkley is desperate to make his mark on the international stage but knows his club form will be the key.

Koeman looks set to build his Goodison Park midfield around Barkley and help the Merseyside talent to the next level.

“His start to the season has been positive,” said the Blues boss. “The most important thing in this situation is that the player himself knows that it is a big season for him.

(Photo by Lynne Cameron/Getty Images)

“He is not ‘that talent’ anymore – he needs to show it. That’s more responsibility for the player than maybe he has had these last two years.

“Ross knows about the pressure because he is a local boy. That gives everybody more pressure but he can handle that.

“He is working hard and trying to improve. I think there is still a lot of space for him to improve and become a very good player.

“From outside, maybe you get inspiration but I think that mentality needs to come from yourself.

“It starts every day by doing your job and being a professional. Of course, you need help and the confidence of the coach. But it always starts with the player by himself.”