Everton fans in the Transfer Tavern are quite simply disgusted with Gareth Southgate’s treatment of midfielder Ross Barkley.
The 23-year-old has been in fantastic form recently, notching up one goal and five assists in his last nine Premier League outings, and earned a call-up to Southgate’s most recent England squad.
But the 22-cap international was forced to watch from the bench as the Three Lions nearly held Germany to a scoreless draw in Dortmund and eked out a 2-0 win over Lithuania in Sunday’s World Cup qualifier at Wembley.
That means Barkley hasn’t played a single minute of the last seven England fixtures he’s been called up for, including during last summer’s European Championship in France.
Ross Barkley’s last 7 England call ups:
0 mins vs.
0 mins vs.
0 mins vs.
0 mins vs.
0 mins vs.
0 mins vs.
0 mins vs. pic.twitter.com/EsW1G6a1Up— Squawka Football (@Squawka) March 26, 2017
The attacking midfielder is clearly quite miffed about the situation as well, ‘liking’ the above tweet from Squawka highlighting his lack of opportunities within the England set-up.
Safe to say, Everton fans in the Tavern and on Twitter just simply can’t get their heads around why Barkley is continually being overlooked in favour of the likes of Liverpool’s Adam Lallana and Tottenham’s Dele Alli.
Here’s a look at some of the best responses from Twitter…
The only logical reason I think of why Southgate didn’t play Barkley is because Southgate is an #EFC fan and he wants him fit for the Derby.
— Bradley Cates (@Bradley_Cates) March 26, 2017
People criticised Koeman’s handling of Barkley but what Southgate has done is far worse. #EFC only Ross
— Jay Brittles (@JamesBrittles) March 26, 2017
What the hell has Ross Barkley got to do to get into this sincerely average England side. Embarrassing. #EFC #Eng #Barkley
— Lee Pazzini10 (@LeePazzini) March 26, 2017
Don’t understand how Barkley hasn’t had any game time! definitely deserves it! #efc #england #threelions #ENGvLIT
— Jonathan Chidwick (@chid_7) March 26, 2017
Is Barkley being punished? Did he do something taboo like try and play a through ball in training or something? #england #efc #ENGvLIT
— NSNO Everton website (@nsno) March 26, 2017
Ross barkley should start over the bad fraud alli, hes twice the player and is 6ft 3 and 225 lbs of pure scouse male. #coys #efc #thfc #yids
— Graheme (@grahemebentley) March 26, 2017
Says alot about Barkley when a talented, successful manager like Southgate won’t play him….oh, wait!
— Kevin Freaney (@kfrea77) March 27, 2017
Disgraceful that Barkley hasn’t gotten a minute for England in his last 7 games. He’s been unreal recently. Southgate and hodgson lmao
— Adam (@ffsbarkleyy) March 27, 2017
Should Barkley be starting for England, Everton fans? Let us know by commenting below!
