Gareth Barry could equal record for Premier League starts in Merseyside derby
Wednesday 20 April 2016 19:58, UK
As Gareth Barry is set to equal a Premier League record of 571 starts in the Merseyside derby, we look at an often understated career.
When you think of Manchester City's incredible first Premier League title-winning season, Sergio Aguero's goals, David Silva's finesse and Yaya Toure's rampaging runs often spring to mind.
However, certain roles, such as midfield anchors, are often overlooked by fans who don't remember those who do the dirty work. Would Chelsea have won what they did without Claude Makelele? Barcelona without Sergio Busquets?
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Gareth Barry has forged a career which includes over half a century of England caps by being that midfield metronome - orchestrating things from deep. Barry's greatest achievement is helping anchor that City team that sensationally snatched the title from under arch rivals Manchester United's noses in 2012.
Silva, still one of City's leading lights, voted Barry his Player of the Season that year, and he was not alone in recognising the role Barry played in such success.
"Gareth is the man," Joe Hart said. "When you start to panic, look at Gareth and he just keeps on doing what he is doing - and doing the unselfish role he does."
Barry's career is set to reach new heights on Wednesday night at Anfield, live on Sky Sports, when the 35-year-old could equal David James' all-time record of 571 Premier League starts.
While Frank Lampard (546 starts), Ryan Giggs (522) and Gary Speed (521) enjoyed evergreen careers, they did not manage the sheer consistency of fitness that Barry has since making his debut for Aston Villa as a 17-year-old - a feat that deserves recognition in itself.
Should Toffees boss Roberto Martinez choose to field Barry at least two more times this season, he will maintain an incredible run over making over 30 league appearances in all but one of his last 18 top-flight seasons.
Having made his name as the engine room in the Villa midfield - making 353 starts for the Villans - Barry became a firm favourite in the west Midlands before moving to City as part of Sheikh Mansour's revolution.
It was there Barry hit his best form, winning an FA Cup and that famous title success in four years while starting 123 times.
At 32, it seemed Barry's best years were behind him when he headed out on loan to Everton, but his form secured him a permanent switch, and has held down a regular spot at Goodison Park ever since, despite a whole host of younger talent emerging around him. Age has not made him any less combative - his yellow card against Crystal Palace last Wednesday night was his 112th in the Premier League, another record.
Martinez did not hold back in praise for Barry after he played a major role in helping Everton overcome old club City in the Capital One Cup semi-final first leg in January.
"I have never seen a player with the incredible professionalism, standards and so level-headed as Gareth Barry," Martinez said. "For me he is one of the best English players ever. He could end up with 600 Premier League appearances this season."
To stay playing at such a high level for over two decades is such a rarity in a results-based business. Surely the end is nigh, approaching 36? Not for Barry, and it is that desire that could see him go on to make an insurmountable amount of starts in the top flight.
"People ask me if I get looked after when it comes to training because I am older, but I don't," Barry said in an interview with the Daily Mail. "I train as much as everyone else, do exactly the same. Stopping is something I am not looking forward to."
