Ross Barkley

[J]

I'd like to see Sanson replace him next weekend. Thought he looked good in the few glimpses we saw of him last night and if nothing else should provide a bit more energy than Barkley.

[RamboandBruno]

I am not ready to write him off just yet. If he can get back to being fully fit over the next few weeks I think he will come good.
Remember, Chelsea fans were a little annoyed that the club loaned him out to us after having been one of their most consistent performers the previous season.

not one Chelsea fan I know rate Barkley.

My older brother, in his early 60s, lifelong Chelsea fan, travelled home and away, since late 70s, all over UK and Europe, rated Barclay at Chelsea and was annoyed they let him go. There’s one for ya.

[RamboandBruno]

Saying that, I do think he needs to come out of the side next week for Sanson.

[robleflaneur]

As a teenager at Everton was possibly peak Barkley.He was regarded as one of the best talents in England but had 2 fatal flaws,he didn't track back and he is quite stocky.
With Chelsea and England he could be a flat track bully..Give him space to run into and he is lethal.As teams press more,deny space and give him less time on the ball,Barkley vanishes and I imagine he is not as quick as he once was.

[ChicagoLion]

As a teenager at Everton was possibly peak Barkley.He was regarded as one of the best talents in England but had 2 fatal flaws,he didn't track back and he is quite stocky.
With Chelsea and England he could be a flat track bully..Give him space to run into and he is lethal.As teams press more,deny space and give him less time on the ball,Barkley vanishes and I imagine he is not as quick as he once was.

I think he has overdone the weight training.

[Mister E]

I'm afraid I've never really been a fan; would have preferred Loftus_Cheek if we were going to make a realistic loan for a Chelsea MF player. McGinn would be a better #10 at the moment.

[Risso]

There is no way I'd want Villa to be spending anywhere near £30-£40m for Barkley. He simply isn't worth that kind of money on his showings for us. I'm also not happy that he seems undroppable. With him starting we're already down to 10 men and if Traore is having a mare then we are as good as playing with 9 men, which is how it appeared vs Brighton.

Traore is still coming to terms with the Premier League, but you can at least see he is working on his tracking back, and he can make things happen with his unpredictability. With Barkley, I'm not seeing anything at the moment. No effort, no mobility, no distribution, no taking the pressure off Jack. Nothing.

[OzVilla]

He’s going through a rough spell and DS has indicated he’s not yet at 100% fitness. He was terrific when he first came but looks off the pace now as have the team lately.

 Let’s all take a breath. Maybe we shouldn’t be making any snap judgments based on a few poor weeks, 1 in which he scored the winner don’t forget.

I still think he’s a player I’d be more than happy to have, just depends on how much Chelsea want for him.

[PaulWinch again]

He’s going through a rough spell and DS has indicated he’s not yet at 100% fitness. He was terrific when he first came but looks off the pace now as have the team lately.

 Let’s all take a breath. Maybe we shouldn’t be making any snap judgments based on a few poor weeks, 1 in which he scored the winner don’t forget.

I still think he’s a player I’d be more than happy to have, just depends on how much Chelsea want for him.

That’s where I am. He’s in a ropey patch, and I wonder whether a spell coming off the bench might help him build confidence.

[brontebilly]

As a teenager at Everton was possibly peak Barkley.He was regarded as one of the best talents in England but had 2 fatal flaws,he didn't track back and he is quite stocky.
With Chelsea and England he could be a flat track bully..Give him space to run into and he is lethal.As teams press more,deny space and give him less time on the ball,Barkley vanishes and I imagine he is not as quick as he once was.

The stats would suggest he wasn't a bully of any description at either Chelsea or England. He hardly got a kick under Conte and even under Lampard last season (when they couldn't sign anyone) he wasn't a regular.

He was anonymous again yesterday but the main problems with our display were further back. But Barkley is 27 and very experienced at this level. Surely he should have the nous to be able to drop into midfield for 10-15mins to get us playing through the lines. He doesn't though.

[Chris Smith]

I wasn’t a fan and didn’t want us to sign him. His early performances made me think that perhaps I’d misjudged him but more recently he has looked like the player I thought we were getting. He’s obviously got some ability but is inconsistent and has too many downsides to his game for me to want to make it a permanent signing. I’d rather invest the time in Sanson and Ramsey.

[Ian.]

I was the opposite Chris but I’m leaning to your way of thinking. I also think Smith needs to stand strong and show who’s boss and drop him and shuffle the pack a bit. Not convinced Barkley and Traore can play in the same midfield.

[exigo]

Sanson has got to come in for him next weekend, especially as it means him and McGinn can interchange.

Grealish   Sanson   Traore
        McGinn     Luiz

Much better balance and work rate to it.

[Gary Penrice]

I really wanted him to succeed but he clearly hasn't changed since his Everton days. He's got bundles of ability but the negatives as mentioned already in the thread far outweigh the positives for me.
I would rather use whatever money Chelsea would want for him elsewhere in the squad for a player more suited to our work ethic etc.

[wittonwarrior]

Something obviously wrong, he' not moving, not looking for the ball only operating at 50% if that.    He's not our issue if he doesn't buck up (not saying this is all down to him)

At prices quoted he is a big swerve right now