In the relentless churn of Premier League football, stagnation is a death sentence. To “keep trying to evolve” is not merely a managerial mantra but a pragmatic necessity, a principle Everton manager David Moyes espoused with characteristic earnestness in an August interview with Sky Sports. These aren`t just the musings of a man seasoned in the art of football management; they are the guiding philosophy behind a quiet, yet ambitious, transformation currently unfolding at Goodison Park, a transformation symbolized by a towering new forward tasked with fulfilling the lingering promise of a departed star.
From the Brink to the Ascendant: Moyes` Rebuilding Project
Only last season, Everton found themselves entrenched in the familiar mire of a Premier League relegation battle. David Moyes, stepping into the breach after Sean Dyche`s tenure, orchestrated a commendable escape, steering the Toffees clear of the dreaded drop zone. Skepticism, naturally, lingered amongst supporters and pundits alike, who might have anticipated a repeat performance of lower-table struggle for the 2025/26 season. After all, the “purple patch” is a fickle friend in football.
However, through a deftly navigated summer transfer window and Moyes` steady, almost paternal, leadership, Everton have defied expectations, finding themselves remarkably placed sixth in the league after just four games. While the season remains nascent, these early indicators suggest a genuine upward trajectory. The squad has been bolstered by talent rekindled, with players like Jack Grealish and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall experiencing career revivals after their departures from “Big Six” clubs. There`s a tangible surge of creativity flowing through the team, but a perennial problem—the elusive, clinical goalscorer—persists.
The Persistent Enigma of Goals and xG
Everton`s rejuvenated midfield and wider attack have shown a commendable ability to create, positioning them among the league`s more efficient playmakers. Yet, this newfound creativity hasn`t always translated into goals. Six “big chances” have been spurned, with striker Beto occasionally drawing the frustrated sighs of the blue faithful for finishing that, charitably, could use a sharper edge. The cold, hard numbers of Expected Goals (xG) tell an interesting, albeit slightly paradoxical, story:
| Team | Goals Scored | Expected Goals (xG) |
|---|---|---|
| Man United | 4 | 7.9 |
| Chelsea | 9 | 7.7 |
| Man City | 5 | 7.6 |
| Brighton | 4 | 6.6 |
| Everton | 5 | 6.3 |
Curiously, Everton`s actual goal tally of five slightly *exceeds* their xG of 6.3, a statistic that, for many, would signal efficient finishing rather than a problem. Perhaps, then, the “goalscoring problems” aren`t about a sheer lack of goals, but rather the visible frustration over missed gilt-edged opportunities, or the collective longing for a truly dominant, unerring finisher. With creative talents like Iliman Ndiaye providing impetus, the need for a striker who can reliably convert these chances remains the crucial missing piece in Moyes` evolving puzzle.
The Richarlison Echo: A Blueprint for a New Future
For many Everton supporters, the gold standard for such a forward remains Richarlison. Three years have elapsed since the Brazilian`s £60m move to Tottenham Hotspur. While his subsequent struggles with injury and inconsistency in London might paint the deal as a masterstroke of business for the Toffees, the indelible memories of his 53 goals and 15 assists across 152 appearances on Merseyside still resonate deeply. So deep, in fact, that Moyes reportedly eyed a reunion this very summer, a testament to Richarlison`s enduring, almost mythical, status.
Yet, in football, as in life, sentiment often yields to strategy. Moyes, ever the pragmatic architect, ultimately pursued a different direction. That path led to Thierno Barry, a 22-year-old French forward, plucked from Villarreal for £27m to succeed the departed Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Barry is, by his own admission and reputation, “unrefined.” He is a work in progress, yet undeniably possesses a “talent and profile” that suggests he could ascend to become Moyes` bespoke answer to the Richarlison shaped void – a striker for the new era, sculpted by the manager`s vision.
Thierno Barry: The “Menacing” New Protagonist
Barry`s introduction to the hurly-burly of the Premier League has, as expected for a young talent, been a gradual affair. He has featured in all four of Everton`s league outings, earning one start in the victory over Wolves before being substituted after the hour mark. The leap from La Liga to the Premier League is a significant one, and immediate, spectacular returns are rarely the norm.
However, the sheer presence of Thierno Barry is undeniable. Standing at a formidable 6 foot 5, he combines an imposing physique with surprising pace – a truly “menacing” profile, as talent scout Antonio Mango aptly described him. His last season at Villarreal offered a tantalizing glimpse of his capabilities: 11 goals and 4 assists in 35 appearances (25 starts), alongside the creation of seven big chances and an impressive 67% aerial duel success rate. This isn`t merely a classic target man; his capacity to “drive forward with strong strides” signals a more dynamic, modern attacking player, indicative of Moyes` strategic shift away from the traditional, static forward, towards a more fluid, evolving attack at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Even legendary striker Thierry Henry has reportedly observed Barry`s intelligent movement and his adeptness at drawing defenders out of position – qualities that hark back to Richarlison`s most effective days at Everton. This versatile right-footer has also demonstrated a keen eye for goal from the left wing, notching 8 goals in just 14 appearances in that role. This tactical flexibility is a boon for Moyes, potentially allowing him to weave Barry and Beto into a dynamic attacking tapestry.
The Horizon Ahead: Legacy and Originality
The burning question remains: can Thierno Barry truly scale the heights achieved by Richarlison at Everton? Only the passage of time and the crucible of Premier League competition will provide a definitive answer. Richarlison, it must be remembered, was once tipped by none other than Carlo Ancelotti to become “one of the top strikers in Europe.” Barry, with his comparable physical attributes and a burgeoning profile that marries raw strength with technical promise, seems poised to inherit a significant, and potentially weighty, mantle.
While Thierno Barry may not yet command widespread recognition across the Premier League, he possesses the foundational tools to succeed in this demanding division. Should he continue to refine his mobility, sharpen his decision-making in the final third, and consistently unleash his innate predatory instincts, he could indeed carve out his own legacy as Everton`s next modern hero. More than simply being “Moyes` own Richarlison,” Barry`s emergence signifies Everton`s commitment to a new tactical identity under Moyes` steadfast tutelage – a blend of pragmatic solidity and an eager, forward-thinking evolution. The blueprint is now firmly in place; the construction of a new Everton era has truly begun.
The journey from battling relegation to vying for European football is arduous, demanding both clear vision and the courage to nurture potential. In Thierno Barry, Everton and David Moyes appear to have found a powerful emblem of this ambition – a player whose very presence carries the echoes of a cherished past, yet whose future promises to be forged, uniquely and excitingly, in the blue fires of a new dawn. The blue horizon, it would seem, is not just expanding, but is increasingly filled with promise.
