Can Lukaku and Barry emulate last season's efforts?

Can Lukaku and Barry emulate last season's efforts?




The three loan signings from last season were undoubted highlights of the Blues' fine season. Detractors of Roberto Martinez said the foundations would crumble without the trio, that there would be an absence of goals, trickery and intelligence that could not be replaced.



But the detractors didn't contemplate Martinez would actually bring two of those players to Goodison Park on permanent deals.



A lot has been written of Romelu Lukaku's signing and how it embodies the progress the club are making. Above all else, however, it is the retaining of a striker who scored 15 goals for the Blues last season, and has notched 32 in his past 66 appearances; a striker who scored vital goals against Liverpool, Southampton, Swansea and West Ham.



The same can be said of Gareth Barry. Any dilemma over how the midfield would shape up without the experienced midfielder has now ended; instead, the dilemma is how James McCarthy, Muhamed Besic, Darron Gibson and Ross Barkley (amongst others) fit around him. His nous, positioning and economical use of the ball is vital to Martinez's vision.



More than what either Lukaku or Barry represent is what they offer to the Blues on the pitch. It makes a repeat of last season's successes all the more likely.



The challenge for both players, as well as the manager, is to ensure that happens.



Theories of either player playing with less motivation than last season are poppycock. Last season, neither played for contracts or recognition, but to push the Blues higher up the table. This season, with both now full-time on Merseyside, that desire will be even stronger.



Both face their second seasons at the club however. Opponents will be wiser to how strong Lukaku is and how pivotal Barry can be; it is to them to create new problems on the pitch, and for Martinez to devise new plans on the sidelines.



Everton did a lot of hard work to sign these two permanently, but the hard work truly starts now. One suspects both will take it in their stride.

Source: Echo