Everton star Thierno Barry finally scored his first Premier League goal for the Toffees in the 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest at the weekend.
But the striker will know that he cannot rest on his laurels there, with David Moyes keen to see the Frenchman score more for the Toffees in the Premier League.
Barry grabbed Everton’s second goal in a 3-0 win over former manager Sean Dyche, which came much to the delight of a roaring Hill Dickinson Stadium, according to teammate Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.
But with title challengers Chelsea next up, Barry will have to potentially look at different methods of scoring after a telling stat emerged.
Everton star Thierno Barry scores in the Premier League against Nottingham Forest
Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images
Thierno Barry may struggle for Everton at Stamford Bridge for one key reason
Although Thierno Barry’s first Everton goal came with his right foot, Barry has done well in aerial battles against Premier League defenders this season.
However, the Frenchman may come unstuck for the Toffees against Chelsea with the Blues’ backline being dominant when it comes to battles in that department.
It’s up to Thierno Barry to change Everton’s mind from here until January…⌛
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
According to FBREF, Barry has attempted 109 aerial duels this season, winning 49 of those, thus handing him a 45 percent completion rate.
MORE EVERTON STORIES
However, the likes of Trevoh Chalobah, Tosin Adarabioyo and Wesley Fofana have all been much more prominent in that area. Chalobah has won 56.4 percent of his aerial battles, whilst Tosin has come out on top in 67.4 percent of his duels and Wesley Fofana has been exceptional with 74.3 percent.
It’s an avenue that Barry might try but he could well fail against some tall and prominent stars.
Thierno Barry has recently set a Premier League record for most aerial duels won
Thierno Barry has previously excelled in the air in the Premier League.
In Everton’s 1-0 win over Manchester United last month, he won 16 aerial duels in a single game against the Red Devils – the most of any Premier League player in one 90 minute spell this season.
Thierno Barry backs himself to be the next Romelu Lukaku at Everton…🤔
“They have a good history and good players who 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.”
Thierno Barry’s first words after signing for Everton
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
It’s an area that he is proficient in, and the Toffees may try their luck if they are under the cosh against Enzo Maresca’s men.
But Barry may have to venture down different roads otherwise and having scored on the counter-attack against Nottingham Forest, it may well be in his best interests to utilise that.
With Chelsea having conceded seven goals in seven games at Stamford Bridge in the current campaign, they’ve only won three from seven on home turf, the same amount of wins as David Moyes’ side have on the road.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Everton content each week direct to your mailbox