Sport nationRoss Barkley, the Luton Town midfielder, has made a bold claim that Everton fans wanted him back at the club when he was available on a free transfer. This despite him being labelled a “rat” by Toffees supporters after his departure to Chelsea in 2018. But did they really want him back? In this article, we’ll delve into the situation and explore the likelihood of Barkley’s claim being true.
Barkley’s Career and Departure from Everton
Ross Barkley came through the ranks at Goodison Park, making his debut in 2010. He quickly became a fan favorite, known for his skill and creativity on the pitch. However, in January 2018, he made the controversial decision to leave Everton for Chelsea, a move that sparked outrage among Toffees supporters. The transfer was seen as a betrayal, and Barkley was labelled a “rat” by many fans.
Since leaving Everton, Barkley’s career has stagnated. He struggled to make an impact at Chelsea, and his time at Nice was marked by injuries and poor form. In the summer, he found himself without a club, before eventually signing with Luton Town on a free transfer.
Barkley’s Claims
In a recent interview with The Times, Barkley claimed that Everton fans wanted him back at the club when he was available on a free transfer. He stated, “When I went back [to Merseyside], I used to get fans shouting from the cars, calling me names. I used to just laugh. Fans are passionate, and if you’re one of them, they feel you’ve let Everton down. They’d shout ‘money grabber’. The fans called me a ‘rat’.”
Barkley continued, “My mum stayed so she found it difficult. Whenever she’d go out, people stopped and asked, ‘Why did he decide to leave?’ My mum’s tried to keep a low profile and just go about her business. That’s one thing she hated, but within a year or two, it settled, it was fine. Now, when I go back to the city, everyone’s got over it. The fans last year when I was on a free wanted me to go back.”
But did Everton fans really want him back? Barkley’s claim seems dubious, given his unpopularity at Goodison Park. While some may have forgiven him for leaving, it’s hard to imagine a huge clamour for his return, especially given his struggles at Chelsea and elsewhere since leaving Everton.
The Reality of the Situation
Barkley’s departure from Everton was a painful one for the club and its fans. He was seen as “one of our own,” and his decision to leave mid-season was a betrayal. The fact that he joined a rival club like Chelsea only added to the anger and resentment.
While some fans may have forgiven Barkley over time, it’s unlikely that many would have wanted him back at the club. His struggles since leaving Everton have only added to the perception that he made a mistake by leaving, and his claim that fans wanted him back seems like a stretch.
In fact, many Everton fans have taken to social media to express their skepticism at Barkley’s claims. Some have pointed out that he was booed by Everton fans during a match against Chelsea, while others have questioned why he would be wanted back at the club given his poor form since leaving.
Conclusion
Ross Barkley’s claim that Everton fans wanted him back at the club when he was available on a free transfer seems like a dubious one. While some fans may have forgiven him for leaving, it’s hard to imagine a huge clamour for his return, especially given his struggles at Chelsea and elsewhere since leaving Everton.
Barkley’s departure from Everton was a painful one, and his decision to join a rival club like Chelsea only added to the anger and resentment. His claim that fans wanted him back seems like a attempt to rewrite history and salvage his reputation among Toffees supporters.
In reality, Barkley’s career has stagnated since leaving Everton, and his claim that fans wanted him back is likely a desperate attempt to cling to his past glory. As one local journalist pointed out, it’s a “lazy” claim that doesn’t quite add up. So, let’s take Barkley’s claims with a pinch of salt and remember that actions speak louder than words.
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