Photo by Gary Oakley - Everton FC/Everton FC via Getty Images
Photo by Gary Oakley - Everton FC/Everton FC via Getty Images
Thierno Barry is having a mixed season for Everton, now ranking second only to Erling Haaland in the Premier League in one area.
To say that Thierno Barry divides opinion at Everton would be an understatement, as he has been both brilliant and frustrating this season for the Toffees. Across all competitions in eight games, Barry has six goals and one assist, but even this tally is slightly less than he should have.
Barry has been poor in converting his chances, and he could actually have a handful more goals than he has managed, which would certainly be worth a few wins for Everton. Barry scored against Hull on the weekend, but should have had two or three. One positive of this is that, clearly, Everton’s issue isn’t creating.
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Dan Friedkin
Dan Friedkin
Thierno Barry ranks second to Erling Haaland for expected goals
Fans are getting frustrated with David Moyes, despite being unbeaten, due to the number of draws Everton are picking up this season, in games that could have been won.
Often, Moyes is coaching his side to win, creating the chances needed to win games and Barry is getting the bulk of them, as the expected goals charts for the Premier League this season proves.
Barry is second only to Erling Haaland in the league this season for expected goals, with 4.4 compared to his three scored, according to FotMob.
1 – Erling Haaland: 4.8 xG
2 – Thierno Barry: 4.4 xG
3 – Bukayo Saka: 3.6 xG
4 – Alexander Isak: 3.5 xG
5- Bryan Mbeumo: 3.3 xG
Barry is getting the chances to be rivalling Haaland for top scorer this season and just hasn’t been taking anywhere near enough of them. The signs are good, and Barry is on for a brilliant season, but if he can just become slightly more clinical, there could be no stopping him for Everton.
In fact, had Barry been more clinical this season so far, he could actually have Everton right up at the top.
Where would Everton be if Barry had converted his big chances?
Barry has missed 10 big chances this season, so what would an improved clinical nature in front of goal do to Everton’s standing in the league?
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Position Team Played Won Drawn Lost For Against Diff Points
1 6 6 0 0 16 5 11 18
2 6 5 0 1 10 5 5 15
4 6 2 4 0 12 6 6 10
6 6 3 1 2 15 13 2 10
7 6 2 3 1 8 5 3 9
8 6 2 3 1 8 6 2 9
Barry missed four big chances against Hull, which would have been a win had he scored these chances, and moves Everton to 12 points. He also missed one against Spurs, which might have been the difference in a 0-0 to make it 1-1 and would have the Toffees on 14 points.
Against United, he also missed one big chance in a 2-2 draw, which could have made that game a win as well, while against Bournemouth in a 1-1 draw, Barry also missed two. So if he converted all of these, Everton would be six wins from six.
Obviously, this isn’t a science, and we aren’t saying Barry scoring these chances would have a title charge on the cards, but it does demonstrate the slim margins between Everton being good and great right now, all with no backing from the club. If Barry starts taking even half the chances he is leaving on the table, Everton are going to be in for a great season.