Rnald Koeman has called on Ross Barkley to use his omission against Manchester City last weekend as a “wake-up call” as he demanded Everton start easing the burden on Romelu Lukaku.
Barkley was an unused substitute in last weekend’s 1-1 stalemate at The Etihad as Koeman opted for a different tactical approach against Pep Guardiola’s side.
It was the first time in 55 Premier League games that Barkley had not been involved.
Everton visit Burnley on Saturday when Barkley will come back into the reckoning, but Koeman is continuing his hardline approach with a player he believes can no longer be regarded as a promising talent.
“Maybe last weekend was a good wake up call for him,” said Koeman.
“In my opinion, it was the best line up to have the best chance against Man City last week. His reaction was positive. He was disappointed, but he is training well.
“We played a little bit differently than normally. I did not start with him but it could be different at the weekend.
“He is already been playing for four years in the first team and you are not ‘a talent’ any more. It means you have to show you have improved.
“If I am not totally happy, or it is tactical, then he does not start.”
Whether Barkley starts at Turf Moor or not, Koeman wants more from his attacking players with Romelu Lukaku having supplied six of Everton’s last eight league goals.
Seamus Coleman and Gareth Barry are the only other outfield players to score in the league since August.
“We would like to have more players who score more goals in our team,” said Koeman.
“The productivity of one player is very high - Romelu - the players around him attacking wise have to show more productivity. I want to see more than one every game, we like and need to create and score more goals.”
Leighton Baines will be missing with a recurrence of a hamstring injury.
It was the first time in 55 Premier League games that Barkley had not been involved.
Everton visit Burnley on Saturday when Barkley will come back into the reckoning, but Koeman is continuing his hardline approach with a player he believes can no longer be regarded as a promising talent.
“Maybe last weekend was a good wake up call for him,” said Koeman.
“In my opinion, it was the best line up to have the best chance against Man City last week. His reaction was positive. He was disappointed, but he is training well.
“We played a little bit differently than normally. I did not start with him but it could be different at the weekend.
“He is already been playing for four years in the first team and you are not ‘a talent’ any more. It means you have to show you have improved.
“If I am not totally happy, or it is tactical, then he does not start.”
Whether Barkley starts at Turf Moor or not, Koeman wants more from his attacking players with Romelu Lukaku having supplied six of Everton’s last eight league goals.
Seamus Coleman and Gareth Barry are the only other outfield players to score in the league since August.
“We would like to have more players who score more goals in our team,” said Koeman.
“The productivity of one player is very high - Romelu - the players around him attacking wise have to show more productivity. I want to see more than one every game, we like and need to create and score more goals.”
Leighton Baines will be missing with a recurrence of a hamstring injury.
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