Joey Barton brands Everton defender Lewis Gibson ‘the real deal’

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Fleetwood Town manager Joey Barton has delivered an encouraging assessment of young Everton defender Lewis Gibson by branding the starlet ‘the real deal’.

The teenager is spending the rest of the season on loan with the League One side, along with fellow Toffee Callum Connolly.

Both players featured at the weekend during the 2-1 win over Doncaster Rovers, and Barton was left impressed by the pair, but by debutant Gibson in particular.

He said (Blackpool Gazette): “We’ve been tracking Lewis Gibson for a large period because we’ve been looking for a left-footed centre-half.

“Callum Connolly came in and did a shift for us on the left and did the basics superbly, but we’ve moved him over to his natural side, which releases Coyley (Lewie Coyle) and Wes Burns and allows us to press with a sort of front three.

“Lewis Gibson looked the real deal and handled it superbly, and he’ll come on so much for that.”

Before leaving for his loan spell, Gibson penned a new two-and-a-half-year contract at Goodison Park to provide the club with a potential boost for the long-term.

Gibson – an England U17 World Cup winner – has been with the club since joining from Newcastle United in 2017.

TBR’s view – Good early signs

Barton’s comments are sure to excite fans, with Gibson having already left Goodison with a growing reputation.

It’ll be vital now for Gibson to make sure he stays in Barton’s starting XI, with centre-back options back at Everton currently in short supply.

It’s a big chance for him to impress, and perhaps he could end up saving his parent club millions in the transfer market this summer.