After Manchester City’s 4-0 throttling of Newcastle United on Monday, there were many talking points. One of the more neglected ones concerned the future of Gareth Barry.
For the last three seasons the England international has owned one of the two holding midfield roles with the Citizens, starting 89 of 98 contests that he appeared in between 2010 and 2013.
Never one to dominate the limelight, Barry’s primary quality is his consistency. Always prepared. Always reliable. Almost always making the right decision.
Unfortunately for Barry, reliability is no longer a trait that earns one playing time at the Etihad. At least not with the likes of Yaya Toure and Fernandinho around. After yesterday’s clinic it’s safe to say Manuel Pellegrini has found his holding midfield pair for 2013-14.
Yaya Toure has delighted Premier League audiences with his marauding runs and beastly performances since arriving at Eastlands from Barcelona in the summer of 2010. With Fernandinho joining the mix on a $47 million (£30m) transfer fee this past June, City looks to have found the perfect partnership.
The 28 year old Brazilian was everywhere in yesterday’s destruction of the Magpies. From short passes that linked City’s defense to its attack, to precise diagonal passes to his wingers, Fernandinho’s ability to accurately ping the ball around the park gave City a look of unpredictability that befuddled Newcastle. On defense Fernandinho was almost always behind the ball but even when he wasn’t, he was back-tracking, sliding in with possession changing tackles.
Fernandinho’s decision to sit back meant it was Toure who typically featured in the counter-attacks. But in the coming weeks keep an eye out for Fernandinho’s offensive prowess. Surely Chelsea have not forgotten what a nuisance he can be in attack, as it was only 10 months ago when the former Shakhtar man banged home the game-winner in the 2-1 victory over the Blues in the Champions League group stage.
In short, it’s safe to say that Pellegrini has found his tandem to operate in the pivot. And if either of those two are ever to come out of the game then the Chilean manager has Javi Garcia, who featured in defense yesterday when Vincent Kompany limped off, and Jack Rodwell, who, at the tender age of 22 years old will need consistent burn if he is to continue his development.
Which leaves Barry.
It’s been over a year since he’s featured for England yet from all accounts, the midfielder still holds out hope of playing in Brazil next summer. “Ideally I would like to be playing for my country,” Barry admitted last May when City was in the U.S. on a week long visit.
If that dream is to become a reality then it would behove Barry to look for a transfer or loan deal. And just like that, The Guardian is reporting that Everton manager Roberto Martinez is interested in taking Barry (as well as Aleksandar Kolarov) on loan. The primary purpose of such a deal would be to provide cover in the event the Toffees sell Marouane Fellaini (and possibly Leighton Baines) to Manchester United.
But Barry is good enough to make an impact at Goodison Park even if a deal for Fellaini is not made. Barry’s skillset is not confined to just being reliable. He’s also a top-notch passer of the ball, versatile, the consummate professional and an underrated leader. Although he shows it less frequently now than he did with his days at Villa Park, Barry also possesses a mean left peg.
His spirit would fit in quite well at Everton, playing in front of an equally sound and under-utilized England international, Phil Jagielka. Last year it was Thomas Hitzlsperger who was brought in to provide coverage for Darron Gibson’s injury woes. The German has since departed but Gibson’s hobbles have not, as the Irish international was unable to feature in the Toffees opener at Carrow Road due to a knee injury.
There’s little doubt that spending the season at City would be a thrilling experience. But to do it from the bench at 32 years of age in a World Cup year?
Barry has better things to do.
