Thierno Barry: Villarreal’s New Attacking Talisman
Last season, Villarreal went from battling relegation to competing for Europe and finishing eighth in the LaLiga table. They did so thanks to the exploits of Alexander Sørloth, whose 23 goals saw him finish as the second-top scorer in the Spanish top-flight behind Artem Dovbyk (24). With Atlético Madrid signing Sørloth for €32 million, Villarreal found themselves in need of a new striker. Enter: Thierno Barry.
Born in Lyon, France to Guinean parents, Barry started off at SC Toulon before heading to FC Sochaux-Montbéliard. Despite impressing for the reserves, he never quite managed to make the step up to the first team and instead went to Belgian side Beveren. Barry racked up 20 goals and 5 assists in 33 appearances, and whilst he wasn’t able to steer them to promotion to the Belgian top-flight, he nevertheless did enough to earn a €3 million transfer to FC Basel.
During his time at Basel, Barry showed his capabilities, scoring 12 goals and providing five assists across 37 matches, including appearances in the UEFA Conference League and the Swiss Cup, and proved to be one of the few shining lights in a season that saw them fight relegation. He started the 2024/25 campaign with eight goals in four matches, prompting the attention of LaLiga side Villarreal.
After just one season in Switzerland, Barry headed for Villarreal for €14 million, signing a five-year contract with the Yellow Submarine. Despite only just turning 22, Barry has quickly emerged as a key figure in attack for Villarreal with 7 goals and 2 assists in 17 LaLiga appearances.
Barry’s arrival at Villarreal coincided with the departures of forwards such as Sørloth, Ben Brereton-Díaz, and Joée Luis Morales. These exits opened up opportunities for Barry to step into a more regular role within the lineup. His strength lies in his commanding presence in the penalty area.
His towering height and physique allow him to excel in aerial duels and physical confrontations with defenders. His intelligent movement allows him to frequently position himself on the shoulders of defenders, exploiting spaces where they are hesitant to engage. This unsettles defensive lines and makes Barry a continuous threat.
In addition to his box presence, Barry likes the ball at his feet. He often drifts wide to exploit the flanks, using his long strides and ball-carrying to bypass opponents. Deceptive touches, including sole roles and flip-flaps, leave defenders off-balance. He is able to navigate through tight spaces but also draws fouls from defenders who are baited into committing to tackles.
In a February game against Yverdon Sport, Thierno Barry receives the ball wide, drives forward, and faces a one-on-one situation with Dario Del Fabro. Barry feints a shot, drags the ball left, and aims for goal. Although shooting across goal is the better option, this was a promising play from the 22-year-old.
Statistics reveal Barry averages 3.47 shots per game, placing him in the 85th percentile of his positional peers in the top five leagues. He also has a non-penalty expected goals (npxG) of 0.57, ranking in the 88th percentile. His aerial success of 4.19 duels won per game positions him in the 90th percentile and as a useful tool if Marcelino opts for a more direct approach.
He is also effective in advancing the ball, completing 1.37 carries into the final third per game, placing him in the 85th percentile for this metric. His progressive runs average 1.53 per 90 (65th percentile), whilst his non-penalty expected goals are also in the 88th percentile at 0.57. What’s more, he’s also active on the defensive side with 0.89 blocks per 90 (89th).
In an August LaLiga home match against Celta Vigo, Barry plays off the defender’s shoulder, benefiting from the defender’s square stance. A cross by Dani Parejo reaches the box, followed by a second cross from Sergi Cardona, which Barry heads in to level the score at 2-2.
Thierno Barry has taken 101 total shots, with an 18.8 percent goal conversion rate. His proficiency inside the penalty area is shown by his 20.9 percent conversion rate. Though not the best shooter from afar, his close-range finishing is very good, as evidenced by his recent hat-trick vs. Leganés. With Barry leading the line, Villarreal currently find themselves in fifth place, with just one competition to play in.
Barry’s right foot is his dominant weapon, accounting for the majority of his shots, yet he also displays considerable aerial dominance with a substantial number of goals coming from headers. However, Barry’s game is not without areas for improvement. His ball control can be inconsistent, shown by 3.2 miscontrols per game, placing him in the 23rd percentile.
He has a tendency to over-dribble and a need for better decision-making. Additionally, his passing accuracy is very low, with a completion rate of 53.5 percent and ranked in the 1st percentile. He often holds onto the ball too long, limiting his passing options. Furthermore, he receives only four progressive passes per 90, indicating a need to avail himself to his teammates and room for improvement in his link-up play.
In conclusion, Thierno Barry brings a unique combination of physical dominance and silky skills to Villarreal. His ability to disrupt defences and score opportunities is clear, but refining his decision-making and passing precision will need to sharpen up as he continues to adapt to the demands of the Spanish top-flight. Considering these improvements, he is still young and has the potential to become one of LaLiga’s top strikers.
By: @gillikas
Featured Image: @GabFoligno / Clive Brunskill / Getty