Thierno Barry

Key strength: Link-up play

Target man

In the eye of Everton's storm—12th in the Premier League and winless in five with a sobering LLDDL form line—23-year-old French striker Thierno Barry has emerged as Sean Dyche's unlikely lifeline. The 195cm target man, signed last July on a contract running until 2029, has shouldered the Toffees' attacking burden with remarkable consistency: 38 appearances, 1,919 minutes, and six goals this season. Barry's zero-assist record is deceptive. His bruising hold-up play and aerial dominance operate as Everton's gravitational force, carving space for creative midfielders Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Billy Gilmour to exploit. At €30 million, his market value reflects more than output—it captures an increasingly rare profile: the selfless target man. Most striking is his discipline. Across nearly 2,000 Premier League minutes, Barry hasn't collected a single card—not yellow, not red. In an era where physical centre-forwards often teeter on the edge of aggression, he maintains relentless presence with unwavering composure. While Goodison Park aches for victories, Barry's stabilizing influence offers a foundation upon which Everton might yet rebuild.