If Luton are to capitalise on Everton’s 10-point deduction, they will have the Evertonian in the heart of their midfield to thank.
Ross Barkley spent 13 years at Goodison, before leaving under a cloud. His story since has been one of failed promise — he struggled for minutes at Chelsea, struggled for form at Aston Villa and struggled to keep his name out of headlines for the wrong reasons — but Barkley, now 29, looks settled again.
The supporters at ‘The Kenny’ sing that there ‘ain’t nobody’ like him and the club’s first top-flight win at home in 31 years, a battling victory over Crystal Palace in which Barkley pulled the strings, spoke to the impact he has made since his arrival as a free agent.
At Luton, Barkley sits deep, sprays passes, launches counters and controls the game. Against a Michael Olise-inspired side, Barkley had to be at his best. But he was, as Luton picked themselves up after Olise had cancelled out Teden Mengi’s opener to win it through substitute Jacob Brown.
‘He allows us to play differently, to be a different team,’ gushed boss Rob Edwards. ‘He has a 360-degree view of the pitch, he knows where the space is so he can receive the ball under pressure and calm things down for us.
‘It was another good performance from him and he’s getting better every week.’
So are Luton, and that’s no coincidence. ‘I’m finding my rhythm again, loving it,’ said Barkley. He might just come back to haunt his former club, too.