Former Premier League Golden Boot winner Kevin Phillips expects Everton to sign another striker in the January transfer window, despite Thierno Barry's strong start to the season.
Barry scored his seventh goal in 11 matches this term when he struck the Blues' third of the night in their 3-1 Carabao Cup win over Newcastle United on Thursday. It was a fourth strike for the Frenchman in the competition after bagging a hat-trick in the 4-0 romp at Preston North End on August 26, while he also registered in Premier League matches against Crystal Palace, Ipswich Town and Hull City.
Pressure on Barry as only recognised striker
Following the sale of Beto to Fiorentina on transfer deadline day and a £40million deal for USA World Cup star Folarin Balogun collapsing late on after the Monaco frontman got cold feet, the £27million acquisition from Villarreal in July 2025 is now the only recognised striker at David Moyes' disposal.
Speaking courtesy of BestBettingSites.co.uk, Phillips, who scored 92 Premier League goals, including 30 in his debut season with Sunderland in 1999/2000 under the management of Everton legend Peter Reid, which earned him the Golden Boot, said: "I think Everton will sign another forward. There's a lot of pressure on Thierno Barry's shoulders.
"He's done well, but he's missed a fair few opportunities as well, so there's a lot of pressure on him to get the goals, and it's always difficult."
Competition needed to bring out best
Phillips, who has experienced similar situations at clubs, added: "I've had it, you know, I have had it at clubs where you have a reputation. You go in there to score goals, and then you look behind you, and there aren't many people challenging you.
"Sometimes you become a little bit complacent, because you know that if you don't play well, you're going to play the next game, which as a manager you don't want.
"I'm not saying that about Thierno, but it is like that, and it would be nice to take a bit of pressure off him. So, yes, it's definitely an area that I'm sure David Moyes will look at in the window.
"I'm sure they've got someone lined up. But yeah, I have experienced it, and as a player you want that competition, because that's what brings the best out of you."
Barry and the Blues will look to make it back-to-back wins over Newcastle when the two sides meet at St James' Park in the Premier League on Monday. Victory for Everton would move them above the Magpies and into seventh going into their final match before the international break, which sees them host Frank Lampard's Coventry on Friday.
