Duncan Ferguson has praised Thierno Barry’s improvement but believes Everton still need to sign another centre-forward in January. Barry’s brace in the 3-1 win over Coventry City last Friday saw him reach 10 for the season, already two more than in his entire maiden campaign.
Only Erling Haaland (nine) and Alexander Isak (seven) have more goals than the Frenchman in the top-flight so far this season. And Ferguson, speaking exclusively to the ECHO, believes: “He’s progressing and the numbers are there. He’s scoring goals and that is the main thing as a striker.
“He keeps getting himself in there and he has been lucky with a few goals - but it is good to be lucky as a striker.
Ferguson on Barry's Development
“He works really hard and he’s young. He’s developing, his technical game isn’t the best, but he’s improving and they have good coaches up at Everton.
“They are clearly working around the clock with him and you can see that with his performances, he is getting goals.
“To be fair, he is playing every week and if he plays every week he will get goals because there is nobody to put them in.”
Striker Search Continues
Barry, though, is the only recognised senior forward at the club after Beto was sold to Fiorentina. The Blues also saw Folarin Balogun’s proposed transfer from Monaco collapse on deadline day after an apparent change of heart by the USA striker at the club’s Finch Farm training ground.
Enquiries about the availability of Manchester United’s Joshua Zirkzee and Aston Villa’s Tammy Abraham were also made as the club scrambled to add to David Moyes’ forward line. And even though Barry has been scoring goals for fun this season, Ferguson believes another forward must be signed in January to keep the 24-year-old on his toes.
“Absolutely, you have got to have competition for a place,” the Scot replied when asked if the Blues still require another centre-forward.
“And you have got to have cover for injuries or suspensions. He definitely needs back-up, and I am sure they will be out there identifying strikers that they need to bring in.”
Ferguson Wishes Calvert-Lewin Had Stayed
And one player Ferguson would love to see still playing for Everton is Dominic Calvert-Lewin. The England international, who joined the Blues from Sheffield United in 2016, left the club last year after his contract expired.
Injuries blighted his final few seasons at Everton, as he missed 529 days with various problems since the start of the 2021/22 campaign. After leaving, the forward attracted interest from Fiorentina and Sunderland before joining Leeds United.
Calvert-Lewin has gone on to impress at Elland Road, scoring 15 times in 39 appearances across all competitions last season. He has five in 12 appearances this campaign, and Ferguson believes Everton were wrong to let the 29-year-old leave the club.
“He’s done great, but I knew he would,” Ferguson, now in charge of Glentoran, said. “He’s a top player and he has been a top player since he was young.
“He’s scored goals, he’s big and he can run and jump. He can run in behind and he can hold the ball up. He has got a bit of everything.
“I am really made up that he is doing well. I just wish he was still playing in an Everton shirt, to be honest with you.
“He is a quality player. It is just unfortunate when any player picks up injuries, and I know how that goes with the amount of operations that I have had.
“It doesn't help your career and you can’t score a goal lying on a treatment table, but Dominic is fit and healthy and they (Leeds) are getting the best out of him.
“I just wish he was playing for Everton, but that is another story, and it is great to see him back in the England squad.”
