Ross Barkley

[Sexual Ealing]

A quick look at Twitter (I know) tells me that Chelsea fans are a bit nonplussed about letting him go, which is good. They also think that this means they'll be getting Declan Rice, which is weird because they don't play in the same position (and in my opinion Rice is barely better than Ashley Westwood - but I was one of the few who rated him while he was at Villa).

In conclusion, I have no idea.

[Ad@m]

I don't get the Declan Rice love in either.

Barkley - not sure. He seems to have lost his way in recent years. But on his day he's a player who can create something out of nothing and we've only currently got Jack in the squad who can do that so at absolute worst he's cover in case Jack gets injured.

[kippaxvilla2]

in terms of where we are at he is perfect for us!  Him, McGinn, Grealish with Dougie just behind sounds like a pretty good combination to me!

[cdbearsfan]

Wasn't sure about this but it is only a loan. Getting a current England midfielder in isn't to be sniffed at, so good luck to him. Hopefully we will all be desperate for him to stay by the end of the season.

[Mister E]

I think we may find that if he's given a run in the side he will gel well with Grealish and McGinn; similar players in that they can both attend and defend. I'm not a big fan of his but - heyho - he's with us and it gives southgate another reason to watch us. Who knows? - maybe, we'll see him pick 3 or four Villa players: Watkins and Cash are not far off being full international candidates.

[jwarry]

A quick look at Twitter (I know) tells me that Chelsea fans are a bit nonplussed about letting him go, which is good. They also think that this means they'll be getting Declan Rice, which is weird because they don't play in the same position (and in my opinion Rice is barely better than Ashley Westwood - but I was one of the few who rated him while he was at Villa).

In conclusion, I have no idea.

Reading the Everton forums he clearly left under a cloud and they seem to think there is not much between his ears, with comments like ‘cotton wool brains’ and ‘crayon eater’. Just hope he understands Deano!

[SaddVillan]

He was on the bench for Chelski last night, but didn't get on. Does anyone know if that means he can play for us in the League Cup, even in time for tomorrow night? (old school name).

Welcome Ross - it's a big season for him to prove that he can deliver what he is capable of - most immediately to earn a place in the England squad for the Euros.

I hope he can a bit more than I expect he will and I will be delighted to be proved wrong.

I think he played in the last round so pretty sure he's cup tied.

He started for Chelsea in their 6-0 win against Barnsley and also scored.

Definitely cup tied.

[ASHTONVILLA]

How many of our existing midfielders would get a starting spot in that Chelsea squad? Good player that can't get regular football in a squad full of extremely good players.

We now have proper competition for the tree midfield places, which can only improve us.

[Clampy]

I think it possibly pushes the likes of Lansbury towards the exit door and possibly Ramsey out on loan but I hope not in Ramsey's case although it would be understandable.

[Duncan Shaw]

I'm going to stay firmly on the fence for this one and hope that I get pushed over to the "he's done well and I should have had more faith" side!

[Dick Edwards]

He's a talented, creative player for sure but I'd still like to have seen a defensive midfielder coming in.

[Goldie.7]

A quick look at Twitter (I know) tells me that Chelsea fans are a bit nonplussed about letting him go, which is good.

They aren't thrilled he's gone here either:

https://www.theshedend.com/topic/31484-welcome-ross-barkley/page/47/#comments

[Smithy]

He's a good player, an England international when fit and playing regularly - he's also capable of being brilliant.

He improves our squad without question, and almost certainly improves our first 11 when he plays ahead of Hourihane.

He'll be motivated, with the Euros at the end of the season, so I see nothing but positives.  It's a shame there's no mention of an option to buy, but let's hope that becomes a problem at the end of the season and we're desperate to keep him - even if it means we have to throw money at the issue next summer.

[Rigadon]

Good solid signing on paper.  Haven't seen him play lately so let's hope he performs to his reputational standard.  Better than getting a Drunkwater-type signing.

[Drummond]

He has 33 England caps.

He was brilliant for Everton, and has done ok for Chelsea. For where we are right now he's a good signing and adds to the first team squad.

I'm pleased.