Gareth Barry

Everton manager Roberto Martinez has come into praise for midfielder Gareth Barry, who has been one of the club’s best players since the start of the season. He has formed an impeccable partnership in the middle of the park with James McCarthy and it has helped Everton challenge for top four spot with only five matches left in the campaign. This is a position that the club would not have dreams off at the start of the season when David Moyes, who had been at the club for 11 years, left in order to be replaced by Roberto Martinez, who just got Wigan athletic relegated to the Championship.

However, Martinez proved his worth in the transfer market by bringing in high-quality names like Barry and Romelu Lukaku on loan deals. They have proved influential, as Everton have not only been playing an attractive brand of football, but also getting results as well. Lukaku has been scoring most of the goals for the club, but an unsung hero has been Barry. He has been sitting just ahead of the back four and protecting them by forming a great partnership with McCarthy. Martinez accepted that he never thought there would be such a great pairing ahead of the league match with Sunderland, which could see Everton move into the top four.

“For me they are what modern football is about; the way they can adapt to different systems, and be true thinkers about the game. They complement each other perfectly. Historically the core of the school of science success was that midfield area and James and Gareth show they are deserving to be considered worthy of that level. They haven’t missed many games together. It’s been at the centre of everything we want to do,” said Martinez.
Everton last weekend beat Arsenal – one of their main contenders for the top four – 3-0 at Goodison Park.