Everton must extend Beto’s stay at the club | OneFootball

Everton will head into the summer transfer window with their sights firmly set on building a squad capable of challenging for European qualification.

The Toffees’ 2-2 draw at Crystal Palace on Sunday left them tenth in the Premier League table with two games remaining. Qualifying for Europe is still possible, but unlikely.

The scenario could have been different if Everton strikers Beto and Thierno Barry had lived up to expectations this season.

Beto’s goal at Selhurst Park was his ninth in the Premier League this term. Barry has scored just eight. The club’s tally of 46 goals is the lowest of any team currently in the top 10.

Manager David Moyes is desperate to address the situation this summer and the club’s owners will reportedly back him in the summer transfer window.

One of Beto or Barry will likely exit the club at the end of the season, but deciding which one should go is no easy task. Read on as we assess what may happen.

Beto is eager to stay at Everton

While Moyes’ decision to start Beto ahead of Barry at Selhurst Park raised plenty of eyebrows, his decision was ultimately vindicated.

Barry scored twice after coming off the bench against Manchester City in the previous game, but Beto retained his place in the starting XI.

The Guinea-Bissau international gave Palace defender Maxence Lacroix a torrid time, and he capped his performance with a fine finish in the second half.

Beto has just over 12 months left on his contract, but recently indicated that he wants to remain at the Hill Dickinson Stadium beyond this summer.

“I hope I can be a symbol of hope and a symbol of motivation to the next ones,” Beto said.

“Maybe they can say, ‘okay, Beto did this in these situations, so I can do this’. Hopefully, the effort I put in can be an example.

“You see players with such massive talent, and sometimes they can waste it. I have talent, and talent is really good, but without the effort, it doesn’t mean so much.

“Do I want to stay in Everton or not? Of course, I am here – I am home.

“When the time comes that I am no longer wanted here, I understand because this is football, and I will not be mad, because I understand football and how this works.

“Perhaps it’s my destiny to stay with Everton, and if it’s not my destiny, I will still always love Everton.”

Three into two doesn’t go

The 28-year-old is clearly ahead of Barry in the pecking order at the moment, but Moyes may feel he needs to rethink the situation this summer.

However, if Everton sign another centre-forward this summer, that player will expect to be the first choice. Moyes will need to decide who would be the better back-up.

Barry demonstrated against City that he can change games, yet is unlikely to be satisfied with a long-term role as a bench option.

By contrast, Beto appears to understand that the squad’s needs should take precedence over personal ambitions. That mentality should not be discarded lightly.

Beto’s form has fluctuated at Everton, yet he has still shown much greater consistency than Barry. Crucially, the fans aren’t overly enamoured with the latter.

While Barry’s cameo against City showed that he can take the fight to top teams, he has not consistently demonstrated that level of performance.

Beto’s record of 25 goals in 109 appearances is nothing to write home about, but his ability to make life difficult for defenders should not be underestimated.

Keeping Beto makes perfect sense

Everton’s underwhelming goals tally in the Premier League perfectly highlights why they need to upgrade their centre-forward options this summer.

On paper, retaining Barry may seem to make more sense. The 23-year-old has time to improve, yet there is a nagging doubt that he is not suited to English football.

If Everton can recoup a significant portion of their initial £27 million investment, cutting their losses on the Frenchman would not be a bad idea.

Offering Beto a contract extension on the understanding that he would play a supporting role to a new striker would be an upgrade on the current state of play.

Beto understands what it means to play for Everton. His passion for the club is valuable, although it is not the only reason Moyes should retain his services.