Thierno Barry vows ‘revenge season’ at Everton after tough debut year, promises improvement | OneFootball

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Thierno Barry has said he is treating his second season at Everton like 'revenge' after a difficult debut campaign.

Barry endured a tough first season in the Premier League following his £27m arrival from Villarreal last summer. The French forward scored eight league goals, but faced criticism for his all-round performances.

The 23-year-old has looked lively during the pre-season fixtures, scoring three times, including the opener against Newcastle on Wednesday night.

Barry has openly admitted that his debut season fell short of expectations, but said he has worked hard over the summer break to improve his game. He said he is determined to oust competition from Beto and become Everton's go-to Number 9.

“I didn’t have a good season, so now it feels like revenge. I want to show everybody who I am. I’m very excited to start again. The game against Crystal Palace… I want to play this game. I’m dreaming about this game," Barry told the club's social media team.

“I’m very happy [to score against Newcastle]. It’s always good when you score, and I think the team played well today, so I’m very happy with the performance of the team.

“[The summer] has been good. I’ve trained a lot this summer; I trained my mental side, everything to come back and have a good season. I work with my guy, with my analyst video, and he told me, ‘When you have a counter-attack, don’t think a lot. You’re fast, go’.

“I tried to do this, but after the 50/50, Harrison [Armstrong] gave me the ball, and I shot with my left foot into the corner.

“After one season now, I know a little bit more about the Premier League. How we need to play, how I need to use my body. Like I said, I trained a lot this summer for that, and I’ll try to put that into the games. I hope I can do good this season.

“Last season I was focused on scoring goals, and I forgot a little bit about the [overall] performance. This season I’ll try more. [Karim] Benzema said, ‘When you respect the football, the football gives you back’.

“I’ll try to play good, link up with my teammates, and if I can also score, good.”