Everton striker Thierno Barry celebrates
Everton striker Thierno Barry celebrates
That is the opinion of former senior Everton scout, Bryan King, speaking exclusively to Football Insider.
The 24-year-old has already scored 10 goals in just 13 games so far this season, outscoring his first full season with the Toffees.
Barry often struggled for consistent minutes when he first made the £27million switch from Villarreal, but he has taken on the pressure of being Everton's main striker with ease.
Talk has already emerged of potential interest elsewhere growing in the Frenchman, who will have only two years left on his contract next summer.
Everton will hope to see him commit to fresh terms on Merseyside, however, with David Moyes' side having started the season in fine form.
One-to-ones with Leighton Baines and a strong pre-season. 📈
Thierno Barry discusses the key behind his superb goal-scoring form. 💪 pic.twitter.com/xgUsr87RHf
— Everton (@Everton) November 10, 2026
Thierno Barry 'can't do it on his own'
What is remarkable about Barry is his ability to consistently get on the end of chances for Everton.
Though he's scored six Premier League goals, the striker has produced 7.28 expected goals (xG) - the most of anybody in the top flight.
What makes that number even more impressive is that Everton have created just 13.8 xG as a team this season, with 12 Premier League sides having produced more.
To put that into context, Manchester City have created the league's most xG as a team - 20.1.
Their star man and top scorer, Erling Haaland, has created just 7.1 xG. The next most - Liverpool's Alexander Isak - has created just 4.9.
"He does the things that all good strikers do. They explode and can create chances for themselves, but they're also there for the knock-ins," King told Football Insider.
"Again, you can't do it on your own. Players have got more confidence at Everton, which is making more chances for the boy Barry.
"It seems that his goal-scoring and his play has improved, as the play has improved around him."
What did David Moyes say about Barry?
Moyes was accused last season of stifling Barry by seemingly refusing to hand him the backing to start consistently over Beto.
Yet it now appears that the Scot knew what he was doing, with the young striker more confident than ever.
"Important that Thierno Barry got another couple of goals tonight which was huge for us," Moyes said after Friday's win over Coventry City.
"He can smile at me now and say I told you so and that's good. We always liked him and we want him to keep scoring."