The Liverpool Echo journalist Gavin Buckland has recently slated Everton’s Brazilian winger Bernard.
The 27-year-old left-winger has been with the Toffees since the summer of 2018, having signed for the club on a free transfer from Shakhtar Donetsk (per Sky Sports).
Since then, Bernard has made 64 appearances for Everton in which he has bagged only five goals and six assists (per Transfermarkt).
In a recent episode of Royal Blue: The Everton FC Podcast, Buckland criticised the Toffees’ Brazilian winger and labelled him a ‘major concern’.
He said: “Bernard, for me, is a major concern.
“He’s been here two seasons. If you’ve been at a club two seasons and you’ve not really nailed down a first-team place, you’ve got to be asking questions about what your long-term or medium-term future is.
“He’s far too lightweight.
“He has his moments of excellence, as we well know, but whether he’d be somebody you’d hang your hat on to produce good performances week in week out is open to question.”
TIF Thoughts…
As can be seen in what the journalist had to say, it seems that he believes perhaps Bernard should be asking if his future is with the Toffees as he has not nailed down a first-team spot.
Has Bernard been disappointing since he signed for Everton?
No, he's been good enough
Yes, he's not good enough
Considering the winger, who is valued at £14.4 million (as per Transfermarkt), has been in the Toffees’ starting eleven for only 40% of their Premier League games this season, Buckland may have a point.
Furthermore, across his 25 league appearances this term, the Brazilian has earned a weak 6.57/10 average rating (per WhoScored).
Therefore, it would be understandable if Carlo Ancelotti also found the winger’s performances to be a ‘major concern’.