13/08/2026 6comments  |  Jump to last

(Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Thierno Barry has said he is treating his second season at Everton like 'revenge' after a difficult debut campaign.

Barry endured a tough first season in the Premier League following his £27m arrival from Villarreal last summer. The French forward scored eight league goals, but faced criticism for his all-round performances. 

The 23-year-old has looked lively during the pre-season fixtures, scoring three times, including the opener against Newcastle on Wednesday night.

Barry has openly admitted that his debut season fell short of expectations, but said he has worked hard over the summer break to improve his game. He said he is determined to oust competition from Beto and become Everton's go-to number nine.

“I didn’t have a good season, so now it feels like revenge. I want to show everybody who I am. I’m very excited to start again. The game against Crystal Palace… I want to play this game. I’m dreaming about this game," Barry told the club's social media team.

“I’m very happy [to score against Newcastle]. It’s always good when you score, and I think the team played well today, so I’m very happy with the performance of the team.

“[The summer] has been good. I’ve trained a lot this summer; I trained my mental side, everything to come back and have a good season. I work with my guy, with my analyst video, and he told me, ‘When you have a counter-attack, don’t think a lot. You’re fast, go’.

“I tried to do this, but after the 50/50, Harrison [Armstrong] gave me the ball, and I shot with my left foot into the corner.

“After one season now, I know a little bit more about the Premier League. How we need to play, how I need to use my body. Like I said, I trained a lot this summer for that, and I’ll try to put that into the games. I hope I can do good this season.

“Last season I was focused on scoring goals, and I forgot a little bit about the [overall] performance. This season I’ll try more. [Karim] Benzema said, ‘When you respect the football, the football gives you back’.

“I’ll try to play good, link up with my teammates, and if I can also score, good.”

 

Reader Comments (6)

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Ian Wilkins
1 Posted 13/08/2026 at 10:06:30
I admire him for taking the time to reflect, acknowledging his deficiencies in first season, of which there were many, and thinking and planning on how to be better 2nd season.
Would have been easy to go away, rest, do nothing.
I like you’re thinking, now time to deliver.
Much improved pre season so far.
Mike Allison
2 Posted 13/08/2026 at 10:09:17
He’s saying all the right things.

If he plays as well as he talks, we might have a player.
James Fletcher
3 Posted 13/08/2026 at 10:13:55
He's looked good in pre-season and clearly has a brain on him which is the most important thing. Seems like he's kicking on so looking forward to seeing how he does.
Dave Lynch
4 Posted 13/08/2026 at 10:21:19
Tbf to the lad, he did show some touches of class last season.

The Prem is a big step up from where he came, let's see how he improves.
Oliver Molloy
5 Posted 13/08/2026 at 11:01:33
We all hope you have a better season this time round.

However,
Words
so show everyone against Palace actions speak louder.
Andrew Clare
6 Posted 13/08/2026 at 11:07:57
I hope he does well. For his sake and our sake.
He needs to get nasty. After watching the World Cup it’s apparent that the majority of of the world’s top players have that mentality. They want that ball and they want to keep it, ignoring bad challenges they are just relentless.
In fact our whole team needs that gritty approach.
The win at all costs approach.
Good luck Barry.

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