Barkley was thrilled to be given the captain’s armband in the EFL Cup against Yeovil and speaks highly of Koeman

Ross Barkley was in the physio room on Tuesday, preparing for Everton’s EFL Cup tie against Yeovil Town at Goodison Park when Ronald Koeman walked in. Barkley recalls what happened next: “The gaffer just said, ‘You’re skipper today. I know how much it means to you, and how much it means to the fans. So go out there and show what it means.’”

Barkley’s eyes lit up. Phil Jagielka, Leighton Baines and Gareth Barry were rested yet Koeman could have given the armband to Ashley Williams, an experienced captain, but he chose a 22-year-old home-grown attacking midfielder and diehard fan. “I grabbed my phone and phoned my mum [Diane] who was shocked,” Barkley says. “She was buzzing and said, ‘Go and get a goal for