Everton fans can’t wait to see Thierno Barry take centre-stage at the Hill Dickinson Stadium next season.
It seems as though David Moyes has landed a gem with Barry, as the 22-year-old proved to be a real threat at Villarreal.
This was confirmed as Villarreal fans were frustrated to lose Barry, who is set to be the number nine who will hopefully return Everton to their good days.
His impact on the pitch will be seen, but off it, Barry has been training with Jack Harrison, as a return could materialise for the winger.
But more to the point, why Everton paid £27m for the Frenchman, Barry is set to take inspiration from two former Everton icons.
Thierno Barry challenges for a header playing for Villarreal.
Photo by JOSE JORDAN/AFP via Getty Images
The two former Everton players Barry wants to replicate
Everton have been crying out for a striker, and the hope is that Barry can be the man to nail down the role.
His fortunes at Villarreal proved how much of a threat he can be, as Moyes will be looking to get the best out of the forward.
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Barry sees goal scoring as a ‘meal’, which is a good sign for Evertonians who are expecting these goals.
The truth is that Everton are yet to truly replace Romelu Lukaku’s consistent numbers in front of goal, and what Barry has just said gives insight into how he can be the man to finally fill the void of the Belgian.
Speaking to Everton’s media, Barry said: “Everton is a big club in the Premier League. They have a good history, and good players have played here, like Wayne Rooney and Romelu Lukaku.
“When I was young, I liked to watch these players; now I want to do like these players who have gone before.”
READ MORE: What David Moyes told Thierno Barry to convince him to ditch Champions League football for Everton
How Barry compares to 22-year-old Lukaku at Everton
With the Frenchman eager to replicate what the Belgian did for the Toffees in his four-season stay, it will be a hard feat to match.
Overall, Lukaku scored 68 Premier League goals, which equals out to 17 goals a season, as a difficult task has been set for Barry.
But the similarities can already be seen as Barry provides an aerial threat, which Lukaku prided himself on during his stay at Goodison Park, along with other traits surrounding his strength, which is what Barry also possesses.
However, when comparing the two at the age of 22, it makes for a stark contrast, showing Barry needs to improve drastically to emulate Lukaku’s second season at Everton.
Thierno Barry at 22 Romelu Lukau at 22
Games played 35 37
Goals 11 18
Assists 4 6
Goals per 90 0.43 0.51
The last thing Moyes will want is pressure on a striker who is still relatively young, but now, as Everton’s main number nine, Barry has to live up to the £27m fee paid for him.