Ross Barkley’s journey from the streets of Liverpool to the top tiers of English and European football replicated in many ways the story of another great local street footballer – Wayne Rooney – that preceded him in royal blue. However, Barkley’s legacy as a Goodison icon was similarly lost along the way amidst a messy exit and a sense that his talent was ultimately one unfulfilled.

Emerging through the Goodison ranks nearly a decade after Rooney, Barkley’s powerful running, technical ability and eye for goal quickly drew comparisons to his illustrious forbear. Although Goodison probably witnessed Barkley’s best football, like Rooney the midfielder had to move elsewhere to find silverware. And like Rooney Evertonians were left with a lingering sense of what might have been.

Born in Liverpool in December 1993, Barkley joined Everton’s academy at the age of 11. A boyhood Evertonian, he was heralded as one of the most exciting prospects to emerge from the club’s youth setup in years. He played at every England youth level, but his progress was derailed by a serious injury in 2010, when he suffered a triple leg fracture during an England Under-19 match. This could have been a career-defining setback, but his determination and talent saw him bounce back stronger than ever.

He made his senior debut for Everton on the opening day of the 2011/12 season against Queens Park Rangers, earning man-of-the-match honours for his performance despite Everton’s defeat. Tim Cahill praised Barkley saying, ‘He is so mature for his age and I think he is going to be a massive asset to Everton and [the city of] Liverpool in years to come.’ Loaned out to Sheffield Wednesday and then Leeds United, it wasn’t until Roberto Martínez became Everton manager in 2013 that Barkley made an Everton shirt his own.

Under the Spaniard, Barkley became a pivotal player for Everton. His penchant for scoring spectacular goals and his ability to drive forward with the ball made him a fan favourite. That season he scored memorable goals against Newcastle United and Manchester City, the latter a stunning long-range effort that showcased his technical excellence. His performances earned him Everton’s Young Player of the Season award and saw him included in England’s squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. ‘He’s young, but he’ll be one of the best players of the game we’ll ever see in this country,’ the former Everton and England defender Martin Keown said after Barkley’s senior international debut against Moldova in August 2013.

Throughout his Everton career, Barkley was often deployed as a number 10, but his versatility allowed him to play deeper in midfield or even in wide positions when needed. His ability to carry the ball through midfield and link up with strikers made him one of the most exciting talents in the Premier League.  Despite occasional criticism for inconsistency and decision-making, his talent was undeniable.

One of Barkley’s standout attributes was his ability to step up in big moments. His curling long-range strike against Manchester City in May 2014 was one of the finest goals scored at Goodison Park in its final years. The midfielder’s knack for delivering in high-pressure situations earned him comparisons to legendary Everton players.

Gary Lineker remarked in 2013, ‘He’s got that special something – a wonderful combination of pace, power, and technique.’

There was, despite the obvious potential, sometimes a sense that Barkley’s decision making held him back from achieving greatness. Rarely did he go missing, but there were times when he held onto the ball too long or delayed making a killer pass. At other times he was a joy to watch. There were few better moments in Goodison’s last decade than in the 6-3 trouncing of Bournemouth in February 2017 when, in the final minute, Barkley rounded the opposing goalkeeper and celebrated with his arms outstretched before finishing into the empty net.

That same spring, Barkley, who is of Nigerian descent, found himself unwillingly embroiled in a race row, as the former Sun editor, Kelvin McKenzie, likened him to a gorilla in a newspaper column. Liverpool’s mayor, Joe Anderson, reported MacKenzie to the police for what he said were ‘racial slurs’. MacKenzie, who had spent decades trashing the reputation of Merseyside, was sacked. Barkley responded by putting in a man of the match winning performance in his next match at Goodison, in which a mural of him was displayed from the Gwladys Street. Three weeks later, in a midweek game against Watford, Barkley’s winner guaranteed Everton qualification, the last time they have achieved that accolade.

However, Barkley’s relationship with Everton began to turn that summer. With his contract running down, he was told to sign a new deal or face being sold. A £35 million transfer to Chelsea was agreed in August 2017, but when Barkley suffered ankle ligament damage he ‘changed his mind’. The deal went through the following January for just £15 million, with Barkley’s agent reportedly receiving a £7 million commission. The move sparked controversy among Everton fans, with some accusing him of prioritising money over loyalty. Reflecting on his departure, Barkley later admitted, ‘It wasn’t an easy decision to leave Everton, but I felt it was the right time to challenge myself at a different level.’

At Chelsea, Barkley’s career took a different trajectory. Competing for a place in a star-studded squad, he enjoyed moments of brilliance but struggled to cement a regular starting spot. His time at Stamford Bridge was marked by silverware, however, as he won the FA Cup in 2018, the UEFA Europa League in 2019, and the FIFA Club World Cup in 2021. Despite his contributions, Barkley’s time at Chelsea was often characterised by frustration over limited opportunities.

In 2020, Barkley joined Aston Villa on loan, where he made an immediate impact. His goal in a stunning 7-2 victory over Liverpool offered a reminded of his enduring quality. However, injuries and inconsistency once again hampered his progress, and he returned to Chelsea at the end of the season.

Following his release from Chelsea in 2022, Barkley signed for French club Nice, where he enjoyed a relatively successful spell, scoring four goals in 28 appearances during the 2022/23 season.

In 2023, Barkley returned to the Premier League with newly promoted Luton Town. His signing was seen as a coup for The Hatters, as they looked to establish themselves in the top flight.  Barkley’s experience and quality brought a new dimension to Luton’s midfield, and he quickly became an integral part of their squad. Reflecting on his journey, The Athletic noted in December 2023, ‘Barkley’s performances for Luton demonstrate that his talent still burns bright, even as he’s taken a winding path back to prominence.’

The year at Kenilworth Road rehabilitated the midfielder’s reputation and although his performances didn’t save Luton from relegation they earned Barkley a move to Aston Villa, freshly qualified to the Champions League. It was a return to the level his potential once promised.