Koeman urges Barkley to commit to Everton

I don't construe Koemans comments as not wanting him to sign.

It's usual football sense. If the parties can't agree on a deal usual business practice for the club to recoup.

Not much in this... at the moment!

Ross is a born and bred blue from the city and if doesn't want to play for his home team for the seeable future then something is badly wrong!

Get it signed Ross and tell Rom you'll see him in the champions league in two or three year's time stepping out onto our super stadium on the bank's of the royal blue meresey!!

Ross has been taken for granted by a contingent of our support. The abuse some TW contributors have given him along with Lukaku is startling. Who could blame him if he wanted to join a bigger club. Would be miffed if it was Spurs though. To my mind they're not a bigger club than Everton.

Really? So you are saying an auxiliary, lively, little striker/winger who has barely played at this level will soon be preferable to the player who pulls the strings of our attacks, is an Everton fan and just been recalled up to the England squad?

The impact of Ross leaving would be atrocious both on the field and how we are perceived as a club.

He has repeatedly been asked about Ross and his "all in good time" responses will have done nothing to make the lad feel wanted. . .now he's trying to pressurise him into signing a contract he has yet to be offered ?

Still, shouldn't be surprised. This is the manager who told his only striker that his potential would not be realised if he stayed at Everton.

No doubt his gormless attitude towards Barkley's contract will be brushed under the carpet, just as his comments about Lukaku were.

How about now.

New here?

For now we have 30 points to play for to see if we can get in the top 5, possibly 4. Lots to prove in the away games at Manure, the Shite and The Arse.

Can Ross and Rom produce performances in those games to prove they really can make it happen in the big matches?

Ross will resign or his Mum will send him upstairs with no tea!

Take your pick from our dour, pragmatic Ronnie.

He often intimates he has nothing to do with contracts, then is telling his best two players to 'respect' the contract and issuing a thinly veiled ultimatum to sign or we will see ya lad.

Ross could be forgiven for being sent mixed messages. A better player for it, definitely, Koeman can take credit for that, but does he really want him? I'm not sure.

Rom was being encouraged to grow from the start. Again not how sure Ronnie laa wants to keep him.

If I put the two together and get more than four, I think it tells me Koeman wants players on board and is supremely confident in his own skills to progress regardless of losing both?

Or he doesn't care one jot and will be off as soon as something suitable comes along!

One thing is for sure, this week we have increased our media profile hugely. Admittedly not super positive but it has at least caused a stir in the national media.

A good thing, regardless. My head has nearly fallen off trying to garner a point of view, from the dozens of outlets I digest. Phew can we have a game now?

Where the player is from is unfortunately irrelevant; we all know what one Wayne Rooney did at the first chance – cleared off as an 18-year-old without a moment's hesitation after giving us all of one season in the league! And now he's well and truly on the way down.

If he came here he'd be totally the wrong influence on our young players like Tom, who I predict will have a more successful career than Ross – already shows a tougher mentality and works much harder.

It's a clear fact that Rom is far more valuable to the club than Ross, has contributed loads more and will have a more successful career, hopefully with us. Although it's still very doubtful whether Ross will be a top player, I'd like them both to stay v but if Rom goes he'll be a much bigger loss & far harder to replace than Ross.

He has said that Lukaku is slightly different as he still has over 2 years of his contract to go, so they are saying we hold all the aces. Koeman has always said he doesn't have anything to do with negotiating contracts, obviously he will tell the board if he wants to keep the player or not, but he doesn't get involved in the financial side. Quite right in my opinion.

Lets be perfectly honest he has transformed Barkley in the last 4 months, not by soft soaping Barkley but telling him straight what he expected of him. Which to be fair to the lad he has taken on board and is now delivering. These players had Martinez telling them they were brilliant when they were anything but brilliant. These aren't children they are professional footballers if they cant take constructive criticism then they shouldn't be doing it for a living.

Koeman has repeatedly stated throughout the season that Barkley's contract was a consideration for the summer.

Only two days ago he was saying talks hadn't even started yet, but were 'planned'.

Now, all of a sudden, he's trying to turn the screw?

For someone so often feted for being 'straight up' and always 'telling it like it is', Koeman twists a tale to face the way he sees shit more often than the fucking Ouroboros.

Credit where it's due though. When talking about the current Lukaku furore, he actually fired off the line "in football, you need to respect your contract", while somehow managing to keep a straighter face than a sweaty extra subjected to an extreme close up in a Sergio Leone movie. Unlike in a spaghetti western, he even made a masterful job of making sure the words came out the same time his lips moved and everything.

The only explanation that would exonerate the club would be that Ross and his agent had made it clear that he simply would not sign another. It's possible, but not very likely. And the fact that some on here are so football-blind that they think Ross isn't anything special beggars belief. Do you guys WATCH the match?

Can you imagine the flak on TW if Ross left for a nominal sum because he did not sign a new contract.

Rom bit different as he has two years so who knows what will happen.

As regards honouring the contract as long as players are under contract and being paid then until they are sold they should honour the contract and put in all the effort to make the team the best they can, we cannot stop people wanting to leave and if they do a sulk then that's a different problem but surely the least we expect at the money they earn is to put the effort in while under contract.

He's done that. Now he holds the cards and they're eager to tie him down. It's called negotiating.

Yes, the greatest Evertonian who ever lived: that great friend of the philanthropic Philip Green, the visionary who gave Goodison a few licks of paint, then earned 㿂m for doing sweet FA, plus kept his coveted position of authority – the one and only 'Billy Boys Penwright'.

I think the question should be asked is why have they allowed this to linger on until the summer? Lukaku's deal was put in place with at least two years to run. Barkley's should have been similar. By now everything should have been done and dusted one way or the other.

I really hope young Ross signs on but taking him – and his mum – for granted just because he's local and a supporter, in my mind, shows a dereliction of duty by the board.

Having read hundreds of posts from people (Gavin regularly among them) who were outraged by my criticism of Martinez for years. I'm now told I was having a love in with the him... See the absurdity, Jay?

Just in case you didn't understand what John@26 was talking about

"No because I am the manager of Southampton and I have a contract for two years more. I have to respect my contract. I like to respect my contract. I am very happy"

The guy constantly contradicts himself, just as he is doing with Barkley and Lukaku. You want to believe it? that's your choice. Personally, I don't believe a word he says.

"Tells it like it is"? I guess he must do half the time, but then he fucks it all up by contradicting himself the other half.

Colin

You don't have to go back as far as George V... but he was definitely a Royle.

We will have a better idea by the summer if Ross can perform consistently over many months and if he is worth such a huge salary. A top performance in the derby game would be a good pointer.

As for Lookman if given the opportunities and the time Ross has I think he'd make more of an impression but I agree we've only seen him in glimpses.

Our club is changing and there is no room for sentiment on the pitch, plenty off it but not on it. If we are serious about moving forward then we need to act like a progressive club not one desperately clinging onto one of our own who isn't up to it.

With Rom it's different. He's not going into his last year and so we don't have to sell.

Barkley is going into his last year, so Koeman is saying it like it is. Sign, or we are forced to sell. The club, including Koeman will want Barkley to sign a new contract, and I expect there hasn't been any urgency because Koeman wanted the boy to prove himself, and also because the club know that he has no intention of leaving. I am quite sure that Ross will sign and that the club know this. It's just a matter of sorting out the finer details.

Koeman wanted it left until the end of season. It's clear that he gets frustrated that these matters keep coming up, and that he gets asked about contracts all of the time. He wants to deal with football and talk about matches, not discuss contracts.

Why the surprise when our two best players seem to want to leave or are led to the option by administrative incompetence?

One of the first things taught on media training used to be that you don't actually have to answer the question!

The answer is in the words.
He will be offered a contract IN THE SUMMER.
Sign it or be sold.
It's not rocket science

Despite all this, and his apparent dedication to our and his great club, even HIS contract is becoming a media circus. I can't help but think that the whole thing reflects the way Everton do things in this 'new era', maximising publicity and profile at every turn. So long as it ultimatel leads to great results on the pitch, fine.

Why are so many getting over excited about the contracts of both Rom and Ross? Beats me!

Ian't it the case that Koeman was in the final year of a three year contract but Southampton didn't offer a sufficiently good new contract so Koeman left? Southampton received compensation so it was, in effect, like a footballer leaving in the final year of a contract and his club getting a fee.

Koeman, quoted at the time,'The main reason was that we did not agree about my last year of contract. I mentioned to the club I would like to continue, and go into my last year then during the season we would have time to discuss about the future.

'There was no way for the club to do that, they came with the new offer and I was really disappointed about the offer to continue in Southampton.'

Ross acknowledges himself that earlier in the season his form was poor so at that stage Koeman was assessing if he was part of his plans. Now he is playing consistently well, thanks to The Ronald, he will be rewarded and I hope he signs.

Chris (#43) has answered Koeman's own situation so he is not a hypocrite. Get behind the manager for God's sake! Moshiri has bought a legend to the club but some on here expect miracles in double-quick time.

I don't think Koeman will lose any sleep if Barkley or any other player he didn't bring in leaves the club, as long as the club gets a decent fee he can then reinvest.

Personally I'd like Barkley to stay but if he doesn't sign then sell him to Spurs or whoever and reinvest the cash and get a proper no.10.

I can see both Lukaku and Barkley leaving in the summer – if we can get 𧴜m+ for the two, that's a shed load of cash to buy new players.

Steve Gerrard and Jamies Carragher are not best liked by Everton fans but you can't fault them for being one club footballers, so could give their best football to Liverpool FC, because they represented their home.

It's the same with Ross Barkley, who should recognise that Everton is his home that no other club can match, no matter the promises of more wealth, trophies and honours.

Barkley can see out his contact if he wishes and there is nothing anyone can do. The club have let him wait why the rush?

I would be sad to see him go. Took some stick of his own fans and remained professional. In the past few months we have seen the potential we have been wanting. He has to do what's best for him.

I'm a big fan of Ross. I still think he's a talent to rival anything that has been produced in England.

I think back to the player Ross was when he finally broke through. He was exceptional. He dominated a derby... how old was he? Seems like forever ago.

Has he improved that much? Has his career advanced? Did the Martinez obsession with pace, power and constant possession hinder his development?

Love for the club and loyalty will only be a part of his decision on a new contract. He's responsible for his own career and should definitely weigh up his options.

Personally, he seems pretty level headed and it wouldn't surprise me at all to see him go. Begrudgingly, I think he might be better off somewhere else.

Steavey #56... I think money, trophies and honors absolutely do matter.

Mind you, those things still matter to us don't they?

For a player, they do have a choice. Rooney still feels that he's an Evertonian yet has won plenty, earned loads, and broken records.

Your reference to Schneiderlin's 𧴰k/wk is a very shrewd observation. I found it odd that things were, seemingly, underway for Barks & Rom, then suddenly both appear to have stalled.

Has learning Schneiderlin's take home wrankled the other two? Makes perfect sense to me.

On a subnote, I'm disappointed (but not entirely surprised) that Leon Osman has lobbed a bit of fuel onto this weeks bonfire of vanities. He's popping up as a pundit now and dancing to another pipers tune. (Is he sore at being culled, too).

Are you sure about that Denis? Only all his best results have come with the players he inherited. Only Williams started against City and only Williams and Schneiderlin started in last weeks win against The Baggies.

It would appear that in some cases Koeman prefers the players he inherited to those he brought in. Steklenburg, Gana, Lookman and Valencia all sat it out last week as the players who are already here were selected ahead of them... and lets be fair, of the eleven that did start, Williams would represent most peoples idea of the weakest link.

I just don't get why you would be prepared to see Barkley nd Lukaku go, so this guy can get his hands on more cash. Do you think he would bring in flair players? There are always other players, but a pragmatic, unadventurous manager who thinks his players will enhance their careers by moving on to "bigger clubs" would be far easier to replace than our two most valuable assets.

You also talk about Barkley "refusing" to sign a new contract? You do realise he hasn't been offered one yet ?

Years of buffoonery will make Kenwright an easy scapegoat for the situation, but does anybody really believe that he wouldn't have had a contract drawn up if the manager had instructed him to do so ?

Koeman has very publically been playing mind games with Barkley and as somebody has already pointed out, he has painted himself into a corner... He'd better hope Barkley stays.

I think this is not necessarily limited to Ross. To me, it seems that, in the attacking third of the pitch the players are feeling more free to express themselves. Just a few on here seem to miss this and appear to say Everton is a boring team. We have had our moments but, as the team settles in, more confidently, to the new manager's model I feel certain we are in for some very exciting times. COYB

The haters could become more hatefull and the lovers could be so much more in love, the on the fencers could fall off or be standing on the top of the fence jumping up and down.

Three games that will make or break our season.

Just for once Everton please do not fear the RS and the Mancs and make the biased journo's eat some humble toffee pie.

I wonder if Barkley will be tapped-up in the England camp?

Win = team pulled together/rallied in the circumstances.

Loss = team unsettled.

Draw = flat, uncertain performance.

"Only all his best results have come with the players he inherited."

So, Koeman can get more out of the players he inherited than the manager who bought them? Sounds like a pretty decent manager to me.

Gana has been a top player for us for much of his time here and Lookman is certainly one for the future so, although some of his buys are not what we'd have chosen, there are still positives to be had.

I'm guessing you mean Martinez. I'm not suggesting you are easily pleased, but, there are Trappist monks who would have gotten more out of the players than he did.

Coleman, Baines, Jagielka, Mirallas, Davies and Barkley were not signed by Martinez btw

Personally I'd love both players to stay but at the end of the day, no player is bigger than the club. If one or both leave, all I'd hope is that the club get a massive stack of cash for the manager to put back into the squad, and that the sales happen early summer not on 31st August.

If either player is not willing to sign a contract by the end of the season, the club should put them up for sale.

When did Ross last hit double figures in a season ?He is yet another midfielder who does not score goals.Top attacking midfielders score into double figures.

Lukaku is worth double Barkley's fee.He scores goals and also assists.He plays every game.He is never subbed and never benched.Barkley has been mercurial throughout his career and only lately has he been consistent.Let's just see how he plays against Liverpool and Man Utd.I want to see him in opposing final thirds and in their box's for the odd tap ins.This lad has ability but he needs to score otherwise he is just another midfielder.Let's all hope that both he and Lukaku score against Liverpool and Man Utd.Let's all see some support up front for Lukaku in these big matches.The game of football is all about scoring goals.Lukaku does and Barkley (unfortunately) does not !!

As for slating Koeman – the man has forgotten more about football than any on here know. If you can't see the dramatic improvement at Everton in such a short time, then I suspect you know nothing about the game and just don't like the man.

Uncompromising, good at identifying players' plus points, and very good at nullifying their weaknesses.

He expects hard work and concentration, knowing that leads to better performances over a sustained period. This is how teams are pulled together by decent coaches. Mr Conte has done exactly the same at Chelsea, he has got better players to start with though.

Give Koeman the money and he will make Everton a force. Stop moaning.

Mr Big Mouth on the other hand is wanted by.... mmmmm.... No-one... Well, if you believe the media then he is wanted by the top 6.

I would only offer Ross a better deal half-way through any new contract if he up's another level next season. For now, I think the manager is unsure if Ross has the right temperament to be a world class player consistently.

He looked like he could run all day without getting out of breath.

His footwork is sublime.

He runs at defenders at pace and forces them to make snap decisions.

His final product is improved, mainly because there is one.

I'm so much happier with him. Can only attribute this to three factors:
Koeman R.
Koeman E.
Barkley R.

Bit too.
Imposing.
Powerful.
Near to the bare bone!

Much like the player, on the pitch.

I suppose we could always revert to:
Bernie Wright.
Brett Angell.
Mickey Walsh.
Daniel Owefin Amokachi.
The Straq.
(bless him, 'cos if he'd had 50% as much talent as heart)
Then.
Dunc mark 2 (truth AND sacrilege).

- ISIS To Buy Liam Walsh !
- Berkley's Uncle Has Red Dog Fear!
- Lukaku Related To Anfield Nail and Spice Salon Owner's Fish !
- Everton Fans Taking Chance of Improvement In Their Stride

Why would they want to leave?

New stadium around the corner, billionaire owner,massive support from unmatched passionate fans it's great here.<>The alternative? Playing in front of an 'audience' at WHL, Stamford Bridge, The Emirates or Old Trafford.

Audience!

Or Everton host or Today's visitors are...

I fully expect both Ross and Rom to commit their immediate futures to Everton.

Where will Ross fit in that Tottenham team?

Its just Daniel Levy trying to take Ross from us only to sell him on 2 seasons later.

If Wenger goes don't be surprised to see the Gunners then move for Koeman because they know, not only do they get a decent new manager it sets us back another 2 seasons if he leaves.