Some Everton fans have been fuming at Bernard on social media for his ‘useless’ performance in Sunday’s hammering defeat away to Chelsea.
Carlo Ancelotti trusted the Brazilian to open the action on his return to Stamford Bridge, but saw the midfielder get off on the wrong foot and never truly recover before being replaced after picking up a knock to his left knee.
Some fans have suggested that they would now be happy to see Ancelotti strive to replace Bernard in the summer, as the £120,000-per-week midfielder – our joint-highest earner – was somewhat at fault for Mason Mount’s opening goal having offered little support to Djibril Sidibe.
Bernard offered little in both attack and defence in South West London, in truth, having only recorded 15 accurate passes (75%) of which none were deemed to be key balls by Sofa Score, let alone creating a big chance to score.
The 27-year-old also failed to register a single attempted cross, shot or successful tackle having been dribbled past twice, while losing three of his five ground duels and his only aerial duel.
Should Ancelotti look to replace Bernard this summer?
Yes
No
Belo Horizonte-born Bernard lost possession eight times before being taken off at the break and replaced by Theo Walcott, who likewise proved ineffective with no key passes, accurate crosses or attempted shots.
Bernard has now scored just once in his last 13 outings in all competitions, a run which has also only featured two assists.
Here are some of the messages shared as fans tore into Bernard for his futile effort at Stamford Bridge as we lost 4-0 to Chelsea…
Today’s player ratings:
Pickford: 3
Sidibe: -2
Keane: 1
Holgate: 2
Digne: 1
Bernard: 0
Davies: -1
Gomes: 0
Sigurdsson: -2
Richarlison: 1
DCL: 1Walcott: 2
This is with 0 being as bad as can reasonably be imagined.
— Sean (@sean_efc31) March 8, 2020
Bernard offers nothing in any position, siggurdsson a victim of the formation but granted not offering much. We need dynamic wingers if we are going to play 4-4-2, not square pegs in round holes #EFC #Everton
— Everton History (@EvertonHistory) March 8, 2020
Would quite happily get rid of Bernard. One of (if not) our highest earners and we get nothing from him in terms of goals or assists. We need a whole new midfield in the summer.
— Paul EFC 86 (@PaulEFC86) March 8, 2020
Bernard ball watching there
— Marshy (@MarshyEfc) March 8, 2020
Bernard is pretty useless.
— David Jones (@DJ1878EFC) March 8, 2020
Bernard at fault for the first goal! Left sidibe with 3 men and didn’t work hard at all!
— Richard Traynor (@Richard_T_efc) March 8, 2020
Taxi for Digne and Bernard too, very poor this season
— Stephen Taylor MD (@jakkdanials) March 8, 2020