Schneiderlin Keen To Follow Barry Example

Schneiderlin Keen To Follow Barry Example

Please note, in the event that Leicester are involved in a UEFA Champions League Quarter-Final fixture on the following Tuesday (i.e. 11 April 2017), then this fixture will move back to Saturday 8 April 2017, with a 12:30pm kick-off.

Morgan Schneiderlin says he hopes to emulate Everton teammate Gareth Barry and cut it at the top level way into his 30s.

Barry, 36, turned in a man-of-the-match performance on Saturday as he made his 619th Premier League appearance in the Blues’ 3-0 win over West Bromwich Albion.

Schneiderlin has impressed in midfield since joining from Manchester United in January but the 27-year-old says there’s plenty he can learn from the man almost a decade his senior.

Asked about what it’s like to play alongside Barry, the Frenchman told evertontv: “He’s been fantastic. I wish that I can be like him at 36 years old and keep playing football.

“He’s a great player and he’s showed it throughout his career.

“Against West Brom, he did very well, with nice composure, and he was really involved in the game. It was a very nice performance.”



Manager Ronald Koeman explained that Barry’s inclusion against the Baggies was tactical, with the Dutchman expecting his side to enjoy the lion’s share of possession.

That proved the case as the Blues averaged 63 per cent of the ball and Club ambassador Graham Stuart agrees with Schneiderlin that the man just 13 outings short of Ryan Giggs’ Premier League appearance record was key to a fifth straight home win being recorded.

“Gareth uses the ball very, very well, he doesn’t waste a lot of passes and when teams breakaway on the counter attack, he’s always there to fill the holes,” he said. “Also, his experience means he picks up second balls left, right and centre. Everything he did on the ball against West Brom was exceptional and he used all of his class and experience.

“We know there’s players perhaps with more legs in the side than Gareth - the James McCarthys and the Idrissa Gueyes - but certainly experience-wise and use of the ball-wise, he’s as good as it gets.”

Everton FC