Ross Barkley

[pauliewalnuts]

It's a gamble I hope comes off Lee.

I really do...

It’s not really a gamble. It’s quite astute and risk based.

Like all sensible gambles, it's a gamble we can afford to lose if it goes tits up*.


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[Olneythelonely]

I cannot see anything concrete on this at all. I'd say it's all idle speculation and lazy journalism.

What are you going to do as a forfeit when you’re proven wrong? Change your username again?

[Rudy Can't Fail]

If he signs, he won’t be cover for anyone; more an option of a deep lying, physical ball carrying option which is not necessary a profile we have at the moment. Kamara and Dougie can carrying the ball but are susceptible to being disposed as neither are particularly physically imposing.

Whilst Barkley does not win many tackles he is very strong at carrying the ball under pressure from more physical opponents. And is a decent goal threat with his shooting.

This could be a very smart and reasonably cheap piece of business to give us an option when we play teams like Chelsea and other physical opponents that will press us high up the pitch. Sometimes players mature at different points. Perhaps Barkley has finally found a more consistent position for his skill set and fitness later on in his career at a last chance saloon in Luton. I think he’s worth a punt.

Good post and agree with all. The ball carrying part is something we've been lacking, it immediately puts teams on the back foot. Ramsey and Rogers can do it too but too often we refuse to take on a man in the middle of the park and instead pass it around looking for that key pass. Watching some highlights of his season at Luton Leon Bailey can expect to see the ball earlier and with space as Barkley can spray a pass across the field from left to right, very Pau Torres. I think he'll give us an extra threat in midfield playing from deep.

I see him more competing with Dougie and McGinn rather than Tielemanns. He's a 6 or 8 rather than a 10 now.

[LeeB]

If he signs, he won’t be cover for anyone; more an option of a deep lying, physical ball carrying option which is not necessary a profile we have at the moment. Kamara and Dougie can carrying the ball but are susceptible to being disposed as neither are particularly physically imposing.

Whilst Barkley does not win many tackles he is very strong at carrying the ball under pressure from more physical opponents. And is a decent goal threat with his shooting.

This could be a very smart and reasonably cheap piece of business to give us an option when we play teams like Chelsea and other physical opponents that will press us high up the pitch. Sometimes players mature at different points. Perhaps Barkley has finally found a more consistent position for his skill set and fitness later on in his career at a last chance saloon in Luton. I think he’s worth a punt.

Good post and agree with all. The ball carrying part is something we've been lacking, it immediately puts teams on the back foot. Ramsey and Rogers can do it too but too often we refuse to take on a man in the middle of the park and instead pass it around looking for that key pass. Watching some highlights of his season at Luton Leon Bailey can expect to see the ball earlier and with space as Barkley can spray a pass across the field from left to right, very Pau Torres. I think he'll give us an extra threat in midfield playing from deep.

I see him more competing with Dougie and McGinn rather than Tielemanns. He's a 6 or 8 rather than a 10 now.

He can also take those passes that Pau likes to hammer quickly into the middle of the pitch, something that bceame a struggle in the last few weeks.

[dave shelley]

Has his contract expired yet and is he actually allowed to sign prior to the transfer window opening?

[john e]

If it’s a one-year deal I suppose it could be worth it was the risk

[aldridgeboy]

If he signs, he won’t be cover for anyone; more an option of a deep lying, physical ball carrying option which is not necessary a profile we have at the moment. Kamara and Dougie can carrying the ball but are susceptible to being disposed as neither are particularly physically imposing.

Whilst Barkley does not win many tackles he is very strong at carrying the ball under pressure from more physical opponents. And is a decent goal threat with his shooting.

This could be a very smart and reasonably cheap piece of business to give us an option when we play teams like Chelsea and other physical opponents that will press us high up the pitch. Sometimes players mature at different points. Perhaps Barkley has finally found a more consistent position for his skill set and fitness later on in his career at a last chance saloon in Luton. I think he’s worth a punt.

Good post and agree with all. The ball carrying part is something we've been lacking, it immediately puts teams on the back foot. Ramsey and Rogers can do it too but too often we refuse to take on a man in the middle of the park and instead pass it around looking for that key pass. Watching some highlights of his season at Luton Leon Bailey can expect to see the ball earlier and with space as Barkley can spray a pass across the field from left to right, very Pau Torres. I think he'll give us an extra threat in midfield playing from deep.

I see him more competing with Dougie and McGinn rather than Tielemanns. He's a 6 or 8 rather than a 10 now.

The Leon Bailey point is a great point. There were so many times last season where I though we just struggled to give it to what is pretty much our most dangerous player. Despite Baileys amazing season ( and stats ) I thought at long periods in games, he was isolated

[villadelph]

He's certainly an upgrade on Zaniolo, Chambers and Donk.. though they might not do the same things, its still a net positive for us in the middle of the park. Especially considering most of our squad is going to be asked to play another 50+ matches next season.

[Russ aka Big Nose]

Fair enough, on his form for Luton, he is an upgrade on Zaniolo, Chambers, and Dendoncker - though so are countless others.

I think he is too great a risk. He did well when first at Everton and then when the main man at Luton - everything went through him.

I can't see him being happy as a back-up option, biding his time for a chance to impress or the odd cameo appearances to save the legs of Luiz or Tielemans and it looks like he can be a disruptive influence.

I have to think there are better options that are lower risk. UTV

[Jon Crofts]

It's a gamble I hope comes off Lee.

I really do...

It’s not really a gamble. It’s quite astute and risk based.

More likely data led.

[Sexual Ealing]

Fair enough, on his form for Luton, he is an upgrade on Zaniolo, Chambers, and Dendoncker - though so are countless others.

I think he is too great a risk. He did well when first at Everton and then when the main man at Luton - everything went through him.

I can't see him being happy as a back-up option, biding his time for a chance to impress or the odd cameo appearances to save the legs of Luiz or Tielemans and it looks like he can be a disruptive influence.

I have to think there are better options that are lower risk. UTV

Tiny fee and (comparatively) low wages. Where's the risk?

[Russ aka Big Nose]

Fair enough, on his form for Luton, he is an upgrade on Zaniolo, Chambers, and Dendoncker - though so are countless others.

I think he is too great a risk. He did well when first at Everton and then when the main man at Luton - everything went through him.

I can't see him being happy as a back-up option, biding his time for a chance to impress or the odd cameo appearances to save the legs of Luiz or Tielemans and it looks like he can be a disruptive influence.

I have to think there are better options that are lower risk. UTV

Tiny fee and (comparatively) low wages. Where's the risk?

Potential disruption to a (seemingly) harmonious squad; a PL and CL squad place taken up by someone who might become a sulky passenger; a distraction for UE as he tries to get him firing; and blocking the progress of an Academy prospect.

Plus, the obvious opportunity cost of not finding a better option ... or at the very least a similarly priced risk that might have some re-sale value, say someone younger from the Championship that is rated as (possibly) being able to step up. UTV

[kippaxvilla2]

It’s definitely happening according to the esteemed Daniel Bardell.

[Drummond]

Odds 1/5 on SkyBet

[VillaTim]

Hopefully the Everton links to him are true .