Ross Barkley

[Drummond]

I'm with Monty when it comes to Alli, I don't know what type of player he is because the one thing he was really good at when he came through (arriving late into the box and scoring lots of goals) hasn't improved (his record in his first 3 years at spurs was far better than his record in the last 3) and he doesn't seem to have added anything else to his game. He's got talent, that's undeniable but I'm not sure he has the attitude or desire anymore. Compare him to Grealish and the difference is stark, Jack had flaws in his game but every summer he comes back having addressed them and goes up a level, that's the sort of attitude we need to be looking for in players (and we've found it in plenty of the signings from last summer).

We could be the perfect place to build him up again. I note Spurs say he's not available, presumably to up the price. Oh what a genius Levi is 

[Risso]

I'm with Monty when it comes to Alli, I don't know what type of player he is because the one thing he was really good at when he came through (arriving late into the box and scoring lots of goals) hasn't improved (his record in his first 3 years at spurs was far better than his record in the last 3) and he doesn't seem to have added anything else to his game. He's got talent, that's undeniable but I'm not sure he has the attitude or desire anymore. Compare him to Grealish and the difference is stark, Jack had flaws in his game but every summer he comes back having addressed them and goes up a level, that's the sort of attitude we need to be looking for in players (and we've found it in plenty of the signings from last summer).

On the other hand he's playing for Mourinho, and when you get on the wrong side of him there's usually not a way back.  He's still only 24, and I reckon Villa Park would be the perfect place for him to get his career back on track.

[paul_e]

I'm with Monty when it comes to Alli, I don't know what type of player he is because the one thing he was really good at when he came through (arriving late into the box and scoring lots of goals) hasn't improved (his record in his first 3 years at spurs was far better than his record in the last 3) and he doesn't seem to have added anything else to his game. He's got talent, that's undeniable but I'm not sure he has the attitude or desire anymore. Compare him to Grealish and the difference is stark, Jack had flaws in his game but every summer he comes back having addressed them and goes up a level, that's the sort of attitude we need to be looking for in players (and we've found it in plenty of the signings from last summer).

We could be the perfect place to build him up again. I note Spurs say he's not available, presumably to up the price. Oh what a genius Levi is 

Maybe, but into what? Would he be competing for a spot with McGinn and is he enegetic enough for that? Would he be competing for the spot Barkley and Jack have bene playing this season and is he creative enough for it? Would he be happy to play out wide and compete with the wingers? There's a lot of questions over him that I doubt anyone can answer right now because he's badly lost his way. I don't mind taking a player as a rehab project but I wouldn't make him our record signing to do it.

[ChicagoLion]

Murinho will single out  a player for special treatment as part of his "management style", see K De Bruyne at Chelsea.

[eamonn]

Cantwell is now back fit for Norwich and playing. They're sitting pretty at the top and probably feel they don't need to sell him or Buendia in this transfer window.

[ktvillan]

Murinho will single out  a player for special treatment as part of his "management style", see K De Bruyne at Chelsea.

Yep it's part of his MO to ostracise someone, usually someone talented, to show who's boss and he's not afraid to exclude even top talent.  See also Pogba at Man Yew.

[Dave]

Murinho will single out  a player for special treatment as part of his "management style", see K De Bruyne at Chelsea.

Yep it's part of his MO to ostracise someone, usually someone talented, to show who's boss and he's not afraid to exclude even top talent.  See also Pogba at Man Yew.

Salah at Chelsea as well. Mata too. Shaw at ManYoo.

[Monty]

Mourinho's been at Spurs for a year and before that Alli was already well on the way down. In fact, not even down. What even is he? Where does he play, how does he play there, what does he do that others don't? And not in a Thomas Mueller kind of way, because he doesn't have exceptional awareness or movement either.

I'm not saying he's good enough or not good enough. I just don't even know what he is.

[Brazilian Villain]

Agree with Monty, don't want Alli at Villa.

[chrisw1]

He is quick, strong, athletic and energetic, a good finisher with feet and head (6ft 2), quick feet with great close control and passing and excellent at finding space.  It would be a joy to watch him linking with Jack.  In short, on form an excellent attacking midfielder with goals and assists in abundance.  He's most effective as a 10, but can play left and cut in.  Yes he'd be competing with Grealish & Barkley, but on form he's an outstanding player and having all three in the squad would be a huge step forward in terms of squad depth.  Consider his age and he could be an incredible long term asset.

I recall similar sceptisism about Barkley, but the moment he played for us his quality just shines through.  I'd hope it would be the same with Ali. 

With that said, would I spend Ł40m on him right now?  Nope.  And I'm pretty convinced we won't even be looking at him with current FFP restrictions.

[passport1]

Personally I would be looking to sign the likes of Warde-Prowse and Saha. I certainly know what they do and could do for us.

[Monty]

Every time I've watched Alli in the last few years he's struck me as being slow on the ball and a clumsy passer with little vision. When he was good he had the knack for finding space, and whether it's been coached out of him I don't know, but it doesn't seem to be there either way. Despite his patchiness Barkley is miles and miles ahead, and let's not get started on comparisons with Jack.

[OCD]

Tottenham signed Alli as an 18-year old as a player that was demonstrating his ability in the lower leagues. I would rather us sign that type of player than one that would cost a fortune in wages and fee and has gone off the rails for the past couple of years and would be a huge risk.

I don't know the lower leagues and foreign leagues well enough to know who fits that profile like maybe some do but one name I've heard mentioned who meets that profile is Michael Olise at Reading. French 19-year old.

[SoccerHQ]

Mourinho's been at Spurs for a year and before that Alli was already well on the way down. In fact, not even down. What even is he? Where does he play, how does he play there, what does he do that others don't? And not in a Thomas Mueller kind of way, because he doesn't have exceptional awareness or movement either.

I'm not saying he's good enough or not good enough. I just don't even know what he is.

He actually had quite a good scoring run when Mourinho came in, 5 goals in Mourinho's first 8 games. Overall 9 last season.

He's always been a more technical Tim Cahill given his ability to ghost late into the box or make runs from deep. Due to the mad high line we had in the Spurs game last season he must've had about 3 one on ones in that game but missed them all given the form he was in at the time.

If we didn't have Barkley already here I'd be all for going for him but he'd just be a luxury with what we presently have.

[ChicagoLion]

So how many games will Barkley play for us this season?

Could we add a Poll to this thread.