Last season you may have come across a clip showing Thierno Barry in tears after a one‑on‑one session with his personal coach. The Everton forward was putting in extra work with his individual trainer when the pressure became overwhelming. Struggling to find his form, he felt he could not simply train his way back into confidence. There is often a perception that elite players live a perpetual dream, yet when performances dip and the whole world is watching, the experience can feel nightmarish.
"That was genuine emotion," coach Scott Chickelday told Sky Sports. "Those were real tears." Chickelday was the coach conducting that session, the man trying to persuade Barry to keep going. "When I met him he was literally on the floor, and the video captures that," he explained. Barry featured in every one of Everton’s 38 Premier League matches last campaign after arriving from Villarreal.
He started 21 games and came off the bench 17 times, finishing the season with eight goals. By choosing to share the footage, Barry signalled that he is now in a healthier mental place. In a sport as unforgiving as football, exposing vulnerability can be seen as risky.
"It could have gone either way for him," Chickelday admitted. The reaction, however, has been largely supportive.
"When a player underperforms fans often label him as someone who only cares about the paycheck. After seeing that video, many Everton supporters thought, ‘look, he actually cares.’" The very fact that Barry sought out Chickelday says a lot about his determination.
He is doing everything possible to improve, and the results are beginning to show. "He has had a massive pre‑season, attending extra camps to build fitness and mental resilience," Chickelday noted. The payoff? "He returned mentally stronger," the coach said.
Barry opened the new season by scoring in Everton’s victory over Crystal Palace, added a hat‑trick in the cup win against Preston, and later netted the winner against Ipswich. "We worked on his finishing and he’s back flying," Chickelday observed, describing Barry as one of the nicest people he has met.
"It’s been a roller‑coaster – booed by his own fans one moment, cheered like a hero the next. All those highs and lows." He added that Barry is also a new father, juggling a young baby alongside the demands of Premier League football. "Supporters often only see what happens on a Saturday, but he’s adapting to one of the toughest leagues in the world while dealing with family responsibilities." Barry’s career has already been a whirlwind.
After spells with Sochaux’s reserves, he spent time in Belgium, Switzerland, Spain and finally England, making Everton his longest senior stint to date. Former Beveren coach Gunter Vandebroeck described him before the Premier League move as "hungry and determined, but still a work in progress tactically." At only 23, Barry knows he is far from finished. "He needs repetition, he knows that," Chickelday said.
"He wants it, he feels he still has a lot to prove, and it just took him a little longer to find his footing." The extra sessions with Chickelday are tailored to the type of striker David Moyes wants in his side. "We have to align with the team’s style," the coach explained, focusing on the kinds of chances Everton are likely to create. "It’s about sharpening those specific areas so that when he finds himself in those situations he’s ready to score. We drill one‑touch finishes inside the six‑yard box, aiming for consistency," Chickelday added.
For Barry, the issue isn’t merely the chances he misses; it’s preventing those misses from affecting the next opportunity. He must learn to reset quickly. "Mental toughness is key," said Chickelday. "Adopt a Harry Kane mindset: if you miss, that chance is gone.
Move on to the next one. You can still score on Saturday even if you haven’t scored in the previous three games." From Chickelday’s experience working with top‑level players, talent opens the door, but confidence and mindset sustain a career. "He struggled with that, but he’s improved over time." Observers sometimes misinterpret Barry’s body language.
While his goal celebrations exude confidence, there are moments when his confidence dips beneath the surface, Chickelday noted. Statistically, Barry’s off‑the‑ball work is impressive. He ranks among the Premier League’s top five players for counter‑pressures and high‑speed runs, highlighting his contribution beyond scoring.
The next challenge is consistency. "He needs to avoid drop‑offs and become more reliable. I’m confident he will, and if he does, he could become a very good Premier League striker," Chickelday predicted.
Everton lack many striking alternatives until the January window, giving Barry a clear opportunity to cement his place. The signs are encouraging, and after opening up, Everton fans have rallied behind him.
"He was down, but he pulled himself back up," they say. The story of Thierno Barry illustrates how vulnerability, hard work, and mental resilience can transform a struggling season into a platform for future success.