Thierno Barry is hoping to build on a debut Premier League season that saw him score eight times for Everton
Everton's Thierno Barry has a shot at goal during the pre-season friendly match at Dens Park, Dundee. Photo: Malcolm Mackenzie/PA Wire.
Everton's Thierno Barry has a shot at goal during the pre-season friendly match at Dens Park, Dundee. Photo: Malcolm Mackenzie/PA Wire.
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Thierno Barry said he is looking to return to action “with the mentality to dominate” in a short film posted about his battles.
The Everton forward said the toughest element of a difficult season is regaining confidence, something he appears to be working towards this pre-season.
His words were set against the backdrop of clips of fitness work and training carried out away from the club and with the caption: “A wounded animal is often very dangerous because it has nothing to lose.”
Barry endured mixed fortunes in his first season on Merseyside. His haul of eight Premier League goals was respectable and included highlights such as a clever winner at Aston Villa and a brace in the 3-3 draw at home with Manchester City.
The 23-year-old did initially struggle, though, taking months to open his account before being the subject of boos from sections of the Everton fanbase later in the season after comments made on social media following the agonising defeat at Arsenal.
In his video, Barry said: “My whole life has been like this. My whole life I’ve had to fight for what I want. The worst thing for a striker who hasn’t achieved his goals during a season, it’s about getting your confidence back.
“Look at the mistakes you made this season on the pitch - how did you feel? [And] come back with the mentality to dominate.
“You always have to keep that joy of playing. Sometimes you forget it. And when you forget that, that’s when football becomes difficult.
“Every year you always face challenges. You just have to know how to overcome them. That’s the highest level. You have to be clinical.
“When you see people criticising [Erling] Haaland, saying he only scores tap-ins - he didn’t score 25 tap-ins. That’s the highest level of the Premier League.”
Barry shared the film after Everton started their pre-season with a 4-0 friendly win at Dundee. The former France youth international, signed from Villarreal 12 months ago, came off the bench to score the Blues' second goal by charging down a clearance from goalkeeper Harry Sharp.
Everton entered the summer with questions over their frontline but there is a belief among senior figures that Barry has the potential to progress into a serious Premier League talent - a view boosted by the interest expressed by RB Leipzig in the close season, given that club’s record for developing raw talent.