Thierno Barry failed to take his opportunity in the absence of Beto as Everton suffered a 2-1 defeat against West Ham.
The Frenchman was given his first start since the 1-0 defeat against Manchester United back in February after Beto suffered a concussion in the Merseyside derby, but failed to give David Moyes many reasons to keep him in the starting XI despite playing the entire game.
With Thierno Barry running out of chances, it might be worth the Toffees testing the 23-year-old on the right flank given how well he fared in that position in the 2024/25 campaign.
Who was Everton’s worst player in the defeat against West Ham? 🫣
West Ham United v Everton - Premier League
Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images
David Moyes must try Thierno Barry on the right over Dwight McNeil before Everton give up on the Frenchman
Some Everton fans will argue that Barry – who was recently booed – does not deserve to be shoehorned into the side, given his lack of effort at times.
However, Everton invested £27m to secure his signature, and considering he is yet to even finish his first season on Merseyside, The Friedkin Group would surely prefer Moyes to persist.
One potential area where Everton could get more from Barry is the right flank.
The man born in Lyon scored a hat-trick for Basel in an 8-0 win over Subingen back in August 2024 from that position, and also netted twice in a 3-0 victory over Grasshopper that same month before earning a move to Villarreal.
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Throughout his career in total, Barry can actually boast six goals in five appearances from the right flank, so while he was signed to lead the line for Everton in a central role, this slight tactical tweak could salvage his career under Moyes.
Everton hardly have an outstanding option in that area anyway as things stand.
Dwight McNeil was effectively sold in February before Crystal Palace pulled the plug, and could still depart in the summer transfer window. Tyler Dibling is an option in that area too, but contrastingly to Barry, actually has a better record in the centre than he does out wide.
Who is to blame for this defeat, then? 😡
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall of Everton celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Everton.
Credit: Getty Images/Warren Little
Therefore, it might be time for Moyes to push Barry onto the right flank. If he fails to shine there, then Everton may already have to think about cutting their losses.
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