Everton rarely-seen player is ready to explode in the new season - David Moyes ally
Everton are expecting Thierno Barry to take a significant step forward this season after an up and down opening year.
That is according to former senior Everton scout, Bryan King, speaking exclusively to Football Insider.
The 23-year-old netted eight Premier League goals in his opening campaign, featuring in every game but starting just 21.
Barry and Beto were rotated regularly by David Moyes, with neither striker able to secure a regular starting role an extended period of the season.
But the France youth international, who arrived in a £27million deal from Villarreal last summer, is seen as one for the future.
Beto has just one year remaining on his contract and could still leave this summer, with the likes of Nottingham Forest having sounded out a potential move.
'When you're talking Romelu Lukaku...'
Despite some positive sparks, the opening months of last season were difficult for Barry.
Beto had started the campaign in strong form, with the Frenchman reduced to brief cameos off the bench.
But after several poor displays by Beto, the youngster was given a run in the team and rewarded his manager with goals against Nottingham Forest, and Brentford.
Just as quickly as he came, however, Barry went again and ultimately started just two of the last 11 Premier League games.
"Barry's a decent player. When you're talking about [Romelu] Lukaku and players of that nature, Everton are still expecting more from him, that is for sure," King told Football Insider.
"But then he hasn't really had a big run, has he? They've been swapping about the front players. I think that Everton are expecting a lot more from him and I think he could provide it.
"If he gets the chance and gets the confidence and starts knocking a few goals in, he's a handful, you know. He's certainly one to build on, that's for sure. I'll tell you what, there's a few others that would like eight Premier League goals."
What has David Moyes said about Thierno Barry?
Moyes' approach to the development of Barry has been heavily questioned among the Everton faithful.
Yet the Scot has publicly backed his striker, and appears to confident in his ability to adapt to the Premier League.
"I thought the crowd were brilliant for Barry today but I think he gave them something to shout about and believe in and was rightly applauded coming off," Moyes said in November.
"We need those boys to keep their confidence up and when you are not scoring as a centre-forward it’s not an easy thing to do.
"Sometimes people don’t take us seriously when we say it takes time to get adjusted. Thierno has to get used to the physicality of being a centre-forward in the Premier League, what you are going to have to come up against.
"If he was scoring you wouldn’t think about it but when he isn’t scoring he has to be very good and I thought in other parts he worked his nuts off, ran hard, was committed and did a very good job for the team today.”