Everton found their next Barkley in a young star, but sold him for just £1.5m.

08/11/2024 Simeon Football 0

Everton once had a rising star in Ross Barkley. A homegrown talent, he embodied the spirit of Goodison Park, with the quality to match.

Barkley’s career has had its highs and lows, but his time at Everton will always be fondly remembered, despite his move to Chelsea for £15m plus add-ons.

**Ross Barkley: Senior Career by Club**

– **Everton**: 179 apps, 27 goals, 25 assists
– **Chelsea**: 100 apps, 12 goals, 11 assists
– **Luton Town**: 37 apps, 5 goals, 6 assists
– **Aston Villa**: 36 apps, 4 goals, 2 assists
– **OGC Nice**: 28 apps, 4 goals, 2 assists
– **Sheffield Wednesday**: 13 apps, 4 goals, 0 assists
– **Leeds United**: 4 apps, 0 goals, 1 assist

After a less-than-successful stint at Chelsea, Barkley moved to France with OGC Nice and later returned to the Premier League with Luton Town.

There, his form was revitalized, making a notable impact with his dynamic play.

Barkley’s resurgence with Luton saw him shine, earning praise for his all-around contributions. He ranked among Europe’s top midfielders for goals, assists, shot-creating actions, and successful dribbles, showcasing his skills in key areas.

Now back at Villa Park, Barkley’s industrious style would have been the perfect fit for Everton, who are struggling against relegation. One can only imagine their regret at not keeping him, especially with Kieran Dowell once seen as his successor.

Everton’s Missed Opportunity with Kieran Dowell

Everton’s track record with youth development has had its share of failures, and Kieran Dowell’s story is no exception. Once regarded as the next big thing, Dowell failed to live up to the hype at Goodison Park. Despite a promising start, including a notable loan spell at Nottingham Forest, he couldn’t cement a place in Everton’s first team.

In 2020, Dowell was sold to Norwich City for a mere £1.5m—just over two years after Barkley’s departure. Though Dowell has carved out a decent career elsewhere, Everton must look back on his time with regret. He had the talent, but inconsistency and a string of loan moves ultimately stifled his development.

Now, Everton fans are left hoping for the next great talent to emerge from their academy, though it’s clear that Dowell, once thought to be the next Barkley, won’t be that player.

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