Ross Barkley

[Villafirst]

Critics of this transfer are essentially criticising Unai's judgement. I know who I'd trust with this decision. It's virtually a risk free move. I think Ross will thrive under UE's coaching. He was outstanding last season for Luton.

[Sexual Ealing]

Critics of this transfer are essentially criticising Unai's judgement. I know who I'd trust with this decision. It's virtually a risk free move. I think Ross will thrive under UE's coaching. He was outstanding last season for Luton.

People are allowed to criticise Unai's judgement.

[Malandro]

Critics of this transfer are essentially criticising Unai's judgement. I know who I'd trust with this decision. It's virtually a risk free move. I think Ross will thrive under UE's coaching. He was outstanding last season for Luton.

People are allowed to criticise Unai's judgement.

But they will rightly be sent to the ‘unbeliever’ section. 

[Ian.]

Emery seems to have the Golden Touch.  However I was firmly a believer that MON was some kind of footballing genius. Even after some of his signings like Harewood, replacing Cahill with Knight, I failed to question him.

I must admit I was surprised with the plaudits Barkley received last season and especially when his name was mooted for an England call up. I questioned that then on here and quite a few told me he has been playing exceptionally well.

I haven’t seen many of his performances but I certainly do worry about his commitment. His ability was always there. I’m not so sure about this signing myself and I would hope to be proved wrong if he does sign.

[Russ aka Big Nose]

With Ramsey and Buendia returning from injury our priority for midfield has to be a DCM to start every game for the first few months at the start of the season and then provide cover and competition for Kamara.

I cannot believe Barkley is being considered for that role.

So, if the merits of this potential deal is that he is a relatively cost effective squad filler then, again, I’m not convinced.

I don’t see him knuckling down and staying fit and motivated for 20 minute cameo appearances to save the legs of Dougie or Tielemans or when he is asked to start when a ‘first choice’ is suspended and being rested.

And it is far from risk free. As mentioned previously, potential risks include:

1. A disruptive influence in a seemingly harmonious squad
2. It is a distraction to UE and the coaches as they try to make it work
3. It takes up a PL and CL squad place with a player that doesn’t make much of a contribution
4. It blocks the progress of a younger player (that will have a resale value even if they don’t cement a place in the first team)
5. The opportunity cost of what might have been possible if we, for example, brought in a younger player from a Championship side that is rated as making the step up (like Rogers)

If the deal happens then I hope it works out brilliantly. Though I hope it is no more than speculation and we are working on other deals. UTV

[AV84]

In regards to Emery's judgment, of all the players to come in since he's been here, Zaniolo and Lenglet are probably the "worst" signings, but they were both, I think, emergency last minute replacements because of injuries to Buendia and Mings.

The players that any long term thought seems to have gone into, Moreno, Tielemans, Torres, Diaby, Rogers, have all been much more impressive signings. Even if Tielemans took a while, and Diaby hasn't risen to the levels his fee implied he would.

I wouldn't say he's completely beyond question, but so far, evidence suggests he knows what he's doing
.

[Paul.S]

If Barkley walks through the door then I really don’t see the issue with it.
With Ramsey back fit (hopefully) we’d have some choice in midfield. Add a defensive midfielder and with Mings and Buendia back we’d have a very decent squad.
I’m 100% sure Emery has done his homework many times over with Barkley and he’s a step up from what we’ve had sitting on the bench this season. If anyone can get a tune out of him he can, and then some.

[PaulWinch again]

To be honest Russ I think you’re pretty much articulating the worst case scenario, which I think is pretty unlikely. On the flipside, he’s a player with plenty of quality who has shown the ability (and maturity) to knuckle down and perform consistently. He definitely improves the depth in our squad (and adds some much needed height). He’s also cheap.

[Clampy]

It's fine not to be very happy about it but the ones who aren't happy will post over and over again that they're not happy about it.

[maidstonevillain]

In regards to Emery's judgment, of all the players to come in since he's been here, Zaniolo and Lenglet are probably the "worst" signings, but they were both, I think, emergency last minute replacements because of injuries to Buendia and Mings.

The players that any long term thought seems to have gone into, Moreno, Tielemans, Torres, Diaby, Rogers, have all been much more impressive signings. Even if Tielemans took a while, and Diaby hasn't risen to the levels his fee implied he would.

I wouldn't say he's completely beyond question, but so far, evidence suggests he knows what he's doing
.

Yet the spine of the team, and the first names on the team sheet (if not injured) is the team Dean Smith put together (or kept in the case of McGinn).

Martinez
Konza/Mings
Luiz/McGinn
Watkins

[VillaTim]

Critics of this transfer are essentially criticising Unai's judgement. I know who I'd trust with this decision. It's virtually a risk free move. I think Ross will thrive under UE's coaching. He was outstanding last season for Luton.

People are allowed to criticise Unai's judgement.

Konsa at RB etc

[KRS]

And it is far from risk free. As mentioned previously, potential risks include:

1. A disruptive influence in a seemingly harmonious squad
2. It is a distraction to UE and the coaches as they try to make it work
3. It takes up a PL and CL squad place with a player that doesn’t make much of a contribution
4. It blocks the progress of a younger player (that will have a resale value even if they don’t cement a place in the first team)
5. The opportunity cost of what might have been possible if we, for example, brought in a younger player from a Championship side that is rated as making the step up (like Rogers)

Just to counter these potential issues:

1. He’s been here before so it would be well documented if he was a disruptive influence. There would also be noises from the Luton camp if that was the case.

2. There is no evidence to suggest that he’d be any more of a distraction than any other player. All players need coaching so I don’t see that as being any kind of distraction.

3. The same applies and can be said of any player not considered to be in the starting XI.

4. As far as I’m aware, we don’t have any younger players with sufficient game experience and ability that are ready and able to make the step up to the first team. It’s more of a case that our younger players aren’t good enough for where we are and need to be.

5. You aren’t getting a younger player of the calibre required for the money we’d be paying for Barkley. You also don’t know if they’d be ready to make that step up where as Barkley is a known PL standard player and has also played on the international stage.

[VillaTim]

In regards to Emery's judgment, of all the players to come in since he's been here, Zaniolo and Lenglet are probably the "worst" signings, but they were both, I think, emergency last minute replacements because of injuries to Buendia and Mings.

The players that any long term thought seems to have gone into, Moreno, Tielemans, Torres, Diaby, Rogers, have all been much more impressive signings. Even if Tielemans took a while, and Diaby hasn't risen to the levels his fee implied he would.

I wouldn't say he's completely beyond question, but so far, evidence suggests he knows what he's doing
.

Moreno worries me a bit . He's been poor this season though maybe not fully fit .

[Sexual Ealing]

It's important to remember that, if Monchi's remit this summer is to get players in for little money, risks will be taken. This doesn't seem like a massive one to me.

[AV84]

In regards to Emery's judgment, of all the players to come in since he's been here, Zaniolo and Lenglet are probably the "worst" signings, but they were both, I think, emergency last minute replacements because of injuries to Buendia and Mings.

The players that any long term thought seems to have gone into, Moreno, Tielemans, Torres, Diaby, Rogers, have all been much more impressive signings. Even if Tielemans took a while, and Diaby hasn't risen to the levels his fee implied he would.

I wouldn't say he's completely beyond question, but so far, evidence suggests he knows what he's doing
.

Yet the spine of the team, and the first names on the team sheet (if not injured) is the team Dean Smith put together (or kept in the case of McGinn).

Martinez
Konza/Mings
Luiz/McGinn
Watkins

It's debatable whether Mings starts over Torres, I think. Both fully fit, it depends on the opposition, formation, tactics etc. Before his injury I think most of us assumed Torres was being brought in to replace Mings in the long term. The amount of game time Lenglet got in the second half of the season implies there's room for both.

Also, your point is kind of irrelevant. Emery inherited a decent team that should have been playing much better than Gerrard had them playing. We all know that. It doesn't change the fact that all of his signings have been good signings. And he hasn't unnecessarily been replacing the good spine that he inherited, just to stamp his authority on the team, which, I think, backs up the point that he's got pretty good judgment when it comes to these things.