Gareth Barry still in two minds about Everton's final home game

Gareth Barry

Frustrated at the lack of opportunities at Manchester City, Gareth Barry decided to make the logical next step – a loan move away from the Etihad. Whilst it would have been easy for him to sit on the bench and watch the action unfold, the England international believed that, even at 33, he was good to enough to get in on the action. With his Everton side looking at a possible Champions League place at the expense of Arsenal, it has turned out to be a win-win situation for all concerned.

On what could very well be his final game at Goodison Park, Barry is keen to impress against Manchester United and help his side claim the coveted Champions League spot. While the player is still undecided about next season, he knows fully well that he cannot take part in the last home game of the season, against Manchester City – his parent club.

Speaking to the Guardian the midfielder said that he was gutted at the prospect of not playing in such a crucial encounter. “That is going to be really frustrating, especially when there could be so much on it,” said the midfielder, who was last capped by England in May 2012. As a City player, Barry wants to see his parent club claim the title, which he believed they still can. But he also refuses to accept that the defeat at home to Crystal Palace will cost them fourth spot.

Barry said “I have been thinking about the City game for a few weeks now. I noticed straight away it was the last home game of the season, so that was disappointing for a start. We could be challenging for the top four, which has been our focus all season, or maybe City could secure the title at Goodison in front of me watching, which would have been interesting, to say the least. I suppose, speaking for both clubs, it is good still to have things to challenge for at this time of the year. It is a sign of a successful season.”

After switching from Manchester to Merseyside, Barry has proved to be an integral part of the Toffees, who are in pursuit of that elusive fourth spot. Unlike his Etihad team-mates James Milner and Joleon Lescott, who have struggled for game time this season, Barry has been at the epicenter of everything good about Everton this season. His partnership with James McCarthy is one of the main reasons why Everton are flying high this season.

The England midfielder is quick to admit that, even at his advanced age, there were still plenty of things he picked up from Everton boss Roberto Martinez. “It’s been really good to see how Roberto works. He sold the club to me in the first place and since I got here he has been brilliant. I’ve learned so much, stuff about positional options and moving into different parts of the pitch that I had not thought so much about before.”

Barry also added “I’m delighted with the way the season has gone. The atmosphere for big games at Goodison is special and that will help spur us on in the games against United and City. There will be twists and turns, I’m sure, and we are still in with a great chance. Both Everton and City have fantastic sets of fans who really get behind the players. I knew my first game at Everton wasn’t going to be a stroll around the pitch. I knew I had to show I could put a shift in, and once you do that they take to you.”

On Pellegrini’s decision to move him out, Barry said “that hurt a little – any rejection in life hurts – but being able to come and play for Everton meant I could close that chapter quite quickly and forget about it. I think I made the right decision. It has been a fantastic year.”