EXCLUSIVE: Thierno Barry's progess at Everton has been assessed by another French striker brought to the Blues by David Moyes, Louis Saha
Thierno Barry before the match between Everton and Chelsea at Hill Dickinson Stadium on October 17, 2026
Thierno Barry before the match between Everton and Chelsea at Hill Dickinson Stadium on October 17, 2026(Image: Tony McArdle/Eveton FC via Getty Images)
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Birthday boy Thierno Barry – who turns 24 today – is stepping up to the plate in his role as Everton’s only centre-forward, believes another former striker brought to the club by David Moyes.
Last season, Barry, who joined the Blues for £27million from Villarreal, was vying for a place spearheading the attack with Beto. Along with Player of the Season James Garner, he was one of just two squad members to feature in all 41 matches in all competitions, but whereas his Birkenhead-born colleague totalled 3714 minutes on the pitch, missing just six minutes of action (when Moyes took him off towards the end of a 2-0 away defeat at Chelsea to avoid a potential booking that could have led to a suspension), the rookie attacker played 2066 minutes (just shy of the equivalent of 23 full matches).
It also took Barry 17 games, 737 minutes and 19 shots to break his scoring duck. He is currently on six goals this term, a figure he didn’t reach in 2025/26 until he came off the bench to net a late winner in a 3-2 victory at Newcastle United on February 28 with the right cheek of his buttocks.
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Assessing the progress of his fellow Frenchman, who shares a birthday with Everton legend Kevin Sheedy who turns 67 today – Louis Saha, who netted 35 goals in 115 games for Everton between 2008-12, including one after just 25 seconds in the 2009 FA Cup final, and was speaking courtesy of BettingLounge, told the ECHO: “When you’re a young player like Thierno Barry you need the opportunity to shine and he’s missed a lot of big chances, but is also improving.
“I think he’s had a decent start to the season. There were moments last year when he was competing with Beto who had a similar profile and it was not very complementary for the squad.
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“I think now, by being on his own, he is taking a bit more responsibility and gaining confidence in the right way. It’s good for him and he has to keep going.
“I think he’s got his eyes on higher standards as well. I heard that he’s working really hard behind the scenes and it’s a good sign.
“I know that David Moyes is someone that can get the very best out of you. When you are young and play in the Premier League, you have this opportunity to surprise a lot of senior players.
“The difficulty is to maintain that, playing to your strengths and also being adaptable when needed.
“Overall he has done really well. The main thing is to get that ball in the back of the net, and he’s doing better on that front this season.”