David Moyes says new Everton signing isn’t ready for the Premier League yet, he may disagree

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Everton took on Leeds United in their Premier League opener on Monday night, with David Moyes opting to bench one of his new summer signings.

The Toffees haven’t exactly had the busiest of transfer windows, but they have managed to secure some notable additions.

Jack Grealish arrived from Manchester City in what looks like a smart deal for both parties. His creativity, experience and quality should provide David Moyes’ side with the injection of spark they’ve been missing.

Another player brought in to add quality at Everton is Thierno Barry, signed from Villarreal for around £27.5m – making him the club’s seventh most expensive signing of all time. However, he was left out of the starting line-up against Leeds.

Why did David Moyes start Beto over Thierno Barry?

Speaking pre-match to Sky Sports, Gary Neville asked the Scotsman why Beto was starting despite Moyes criticising him a few weeks back.

He answered that Beto scored goals for fun, plus he doesn’t quite believe Barry is ready for the Premier League yet.

“A couple of weeks ago, about Beto, you said that you were disappointed in him and that you wanted more from him. But you’ve chosen him ahead of Barry tonight – what’s your thinking behind that?” Neville asks.

Moyes responded: “Well, if you look at Beto’s goals last year, Gary, it was incredible when we arrived – the amount of one-on-ones he had with the goalkeeper.

“He got through to score several times, and he did miss some as well, but I just felt in pre-season we hadn’t scored any goals.

“I was critical of him because I wanted him to get off to a really good start, get some goals under his belt in pre-season.

“Thierno Barry is, like we say, when we bring in new players to the Premier League, some of them are really ready to start, some of them might take a little bit of time.

“I think I’d rather just take my time and ease them in at the right moments. But meanwhile, Beto has done really, really well for us last season, and there’s no reason to really change him.”

Barry couldn’t make an impact against Leeds – but didn’t have too much time to prove himself on the pitch.

Barry was ready for the Premier League

Despite Moyes not starting him, the forward is itching to play and wanted to start quickly. That said, Moyes is making him play for his place in the side.

“I want to start the Premier League fast and to feel what it’s like to play in the Premier League,” he told club media last week.

“I came here for that, so I’m very excited to play. I think now it’s difficult to sleep because I just want to start quickly.”

“I feel very good on the pitch,” Barry said after Everton’s pre-season friendly in midweek. “The ambience of the stadium is very, very good.

“I think we played very well, but we didn’t score. I had the opportunity to score, but I fell. I think the next time, I’ll do good. I think the team played very well.”

Baby steps. The rest of the Premier League season lies ahead for Barry and Moyes. His time will come in the spotlight for the Toffees.