Everton manager Ronald Koeman has revealed a series of one-on-one meetings with Ross Barkley has been key to his improvement.
A sign of how much Barkley's confidence levels have improved came last weekend when he started celebrating before he had taken the shot that led to the final goal in Everton's 6-3 demolition of Bournemouth seven days ago.
"I think if you look at Ross he's really improving and also playing a different position to one he was playing before," said Koeman. "He is more offensive and not one of three midfield players. He can still play in the number 10 position but has more free role. For him that's more comfortable.
"It is always difficult. I spoke about this with Ross. He mentioned that it is always about him. I said: “Ok, start to be afraid when they don't ask about you. Then you need to be afraid". And if the manager is still criticising you as a player then it means he still believes in your qualities.
"If I don't talk about you any more than that is when you need to be afraid. I understand it is always difficult for him.
"There are always a lot of comments and questions about him. I always talk, we had a conversation about this. I have never doubted his quality.
"To get the productivity and strengths for the players in front, he is improving. He is more important for the team in the last part of attacking than he was before and that is what I want. His celebration was funny and was not disrespectful."