Everton fans would love nothing more than Thierno Barry bursting into a run of good form, having been introduced into their ranks after a summer move from Villarreal – and two club stars have helped him try to settle in.
Everton saw Dominic Calvert-Lewin depart for Leeds in the summer after his contract expired, and with Beto as their only out-and-out striker, it meant the club needed another talisman to give the Portuguese striker a hand.
That saw David Moyes opt for a new goalscorer, and it led Everton to signing French starlet Barry from Villarreal after a solid debut campaign in Spain. However, goals have yet to come for the youngster just yet.
And Barry has now opened up on his tough start at the club – where perhaps unsurprisingly, it’s been veterans Idrissa Gueye and Seamus Coleman who have helped him to build his confidence in the Premier League.
Everton v Fulham - Premier League
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Thierno Barry has praised Idrissa Gueye and Seamus Coleman for their help at Everton
Speaking to The Athletic during the international break, Thierno Barry admitted that he had taken time to adapt to the top-flight – though he admitted that his teammates had been supportive.
And praise was thrown in the direction of Idrissa Gueye and Seamus Coleman, Everton’s two-most veteran players, for their ambassadorial approach to helping the former Basel star settle in the top-flight.
Barry said to The Athletic reporter Patrick Boyland: “Lots of players have been supportive.
“Seamus has been great. He’ll send me a message before and after every match — against Crystal Palace, for example, where I found things pretty hard.
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“Idrissa helps me every day because I have been finding things hard. It’s very different to football in Spain, and there have been times where I’ve felt a bit down. They have been keeping me going and really helping me.
“I didn’t feel great going off (in the Fulham match) because I’d played well and wanted to finish with a goal.
“But then I heard the applause from the fans. Idrissa came over and said, ‘You’ve done well. The goals will come in the next match. Not everyone gets a reception like that’.
“At nearly every club, the adaptation has happened pretty quickly because the style of football wasn’t dramatically different.
“Spanish football is so planned out, neat and tidy, and here it can be a bit crazy. It’s a lot more intense and high-tempo.”
Barry has not yet scored in the Premier League but with support from his teammates, that should only be a matter of time. If he hits one, you’d back the floodgates to open.
Thierno Barry still holds unwanted Premier League statistic
Despite his efforts, pressing and a ruled out goal against Fulham, Barry still has work to do in the final third.
In fact, the Frenchman boasts the unwanted tag of being the Premier League player to have had the most shots without one being on target so far this season.
Nine attempts, including a huge miss against Sunderland two weeks ago, have all failed to hit the target.
Shots taken without being on target Players
9 Thierno Barry
8 Carlos Baleba, Lewis Dunk
6 Adam Wharton, Ethan Nwaneri, Joao Gomes, Tom Cairney
5 Adrien Truffert, Fabian Schar, Enzo Le Fee, Ibrahima Konate, Wilfried Gnonto, Ethan Ampadu
The Premier League’s worst finishers this season
Brighton duo Carlos Baleba and Lewis Dunk are next in that list with eight shots apiece failing to test Premier League goalkeepers, whilst a number of stars are on five and six.
Only Wilfried Gnonto can be considered an attacker, whilst Barry is the only out-and-out striker on that list.
Joshua Zirkzee is the next-worst striker with just one shot on target from eight attempts, and if Everton are to get any better going forward, they will need other players to gift Barry higher-value chances. Iliman Ndiaye and Jack Grealish have been strong in their chance creation and external players doing the same will surely see the Frenchman bag.