The Athletic’s Everton journalist Patrick Boyland has claimed that he wants to see more of winger Bernard, per The Blue Room podcast (March 1st, 16:28).
What’s he said?
The Toffees drew 1-1 with Manchester United at the weekend, with manager Carlo Ancelotti picking Theo Walcott to start on the right flank.
He was substituted in the 63rd minute as the Italian introduced Bernard off the bench, but Boyland believes he should be starting regularly.
Indeed, the Brazilian has made just 12 starts in the Premier League this season, scoring three goals and providing two assists in that time.
Did he really play for us?! No Everton fan has managed to name all of these obscure Toffees players….
And Boyland has urged Ancelotti to get the South American, rated at £18m by Transfermarkt, into the side more regularly.
He said: “I always feel a bit disappointed when I don’t see Bernard on the team-sheet. He’s one of those players who gets you off your seat, and he’ll always do two or three things in a game that you’ll enjoy watching.
“I think he is important when he plays in tandem with (Leighton) Baines or (Lucas) Digne. He’s probably the most intelligent of our players on the left in terms of releasing that full-back, (who) will know when to go himself.
“I’d like to see more of Bernard, I think he’s been hardly done to.”
Not wrong
Bernard hasn’t really been given a proper chance at Everton this season.
He has played the full 90 minutes just three times in the top-flight; the last time that happened came against West Ham United in October, and he scored in a 2-0 win.
The following game against Brighton & Hove Albion saw him play just 30 minutes and then, unfortunately, he sustained a knee injury that saw him miss three games before returning to the bench against Leicester City.
Since then, he has had just six starts in 14 games and was even left out of the squad entirely for the clash with Manchester City.
Giving him a chance makes sense as he is a tricky, pacey dribbler who could cut inside from the left or the right flank and make chances for his team-mates.
As it is, he is offering nothing on the bench, through no fault of his own.
Meanwhile, a journalist has drooled over the performance of one man!
