Ross Barkley

[Risso]

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

Kamara?

[purpletrousers]

?!

[Risso]

Surely one of the first names on the team sheet?

[Rudy Can't Fail]

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.

I agree, I also don't believe he is being considered for that role. All the evidence points to a Luiz/McGinn type role, something those boys haven't had the luxury of an alternative player last season. Both have played far too much football, McGinn has a few days off before joining up with Scotland for the Euros. Without an alternative he'll be dead on his feet by the end of September.

Luiz by his own standards had a at best decent second half to the season and his performance levels dropped before Kamara got injured. He played 7 massive PL games in December, my guess is after he was completely knackered. Imagine throwing in Barkley in a couple of those games (eg: Brentford, Sheff Utd and Burnley) or bringing him off the bench and we may have seen a different Luiz in 2024.

[Percy McCarthy]

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

This is further evidence that he knows a good player when he sees one isn’t it?

[Ads]

And that he's exceptional at getting the best out of them. Watkins is one of the best players in the League. In fact he's one of the best strikers on the continent. He wasn't under Smith. Perhaps Emery will get a lot more out of Barkley, under different circumstances, than Smith was able to.

[WarszaVillan]

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

Kamara?

Signed by Gerrard. By far the best thing he did.

[paul_e]

I've always thought Barkley was overrated even at his best and bar 2-3 games he was really poor for us. That said last year was probably the best football he's ever played mostly because he actually seemed to add some work ethic to go with the little flashes of talent. The big question mark for me is whether he'll still have that if he's on the bench for 5-6 games in a row.

[Drummond]

Maybe we're selling Luiz and we're preparing for it.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I've always thought Barkley was overrated even at his best and bar 2-3 games he was really poor for us. That said last year was probably the best football he's ever played mostly because he actually seemed to add some work ethic to go with the little flashes of talent. The big question mark for me is whether he'll still have that if he's on the bench for 5-6 games in a row.

It's a good point though it's not next season that worries me, he'll get plenty of games, minutes, it's the season after and if he's still here, the season after that. Ideally it would be a loan deal but hopefully we can use him well next season and sell him on for a small profit this time next year when money won't be so tight.

[AV84]

I've always thought Barkley was overrated even at his best and bar 2-3 games he was really poor for us. That said last year was probably the best football he's ever played mostly because he actually seemed to add some work ethic to go with the little flashes of talent. The big question mark for me is whether he'll still have that if he's on the bench for 5-6 games in a row.

He's said himself at some point that he wants to play in Europe again and hasn't given up on playing for England again(?) too. If he's got any sense, or sensible people advising him, he'd have to know that being a squad player at Villa next season is the best route for him to achieve that.

The 3 other CL teams aren't going to be interested in him. Don't think he's going to go back to Chelsea, so that leaves us and Spurs. I don't know if they have any interest in him, but it's clear as day who the better manager is, and Emery has shown that he will rotate players when he has them available to him. So being a squad player means you actually will get game time and a chance to stake your claim on a starting spot. (We all would have dropped Dougie towards the end of the season if we'd had someone else available)

Basically, I'd assume he'd know what he's signing up for if he was to come to us, so to be stropping in October because he hasn't started a game yet would be silly. (Although obviously not impossible). If he wants to be a guaranteed starter somewhere then he needs to lower his sights from European and International football.

Also, by the looks of the squad towards the end of the season, there seems to be a mostly really good atmosphere and even the injured players who didn't play at all feel a part of it all, so maybe it's just a really good environment to be in, which can in itself work wonders for players.

[Somniloquism]

I didn't realise Barkley was the only player we are getting in this summer. The way some are talking it seems to be the case.

[Chris Smith]

Next season is going to be more difficult than the one just gone, swapping out half a team as we did in Europe last season will likely see us knocked out at the first stage. I’m expecting to see a lot more rotation and use of the squad in PL games. If Barkley gives us that option then it will help McGinn, Luiz etc stay fresh for when they’re most needed.

[Russ aka Big Nose]

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.

If the deal happens, I hope you are right.

I just see the potential risks outweighing the potential rewards with a player that is now 30 and that has had one 'good' or 'decent' season (depending on your take of his time at Luton) in the last six years.

It feels like the kind of deal that we used to look at where there was more hope than expectation that it would work out.

Finding cover and competition for Kamara is arguably our most important transfer objective. If we are restricted by FFP, then I would - very reluctantly - rather we sell a real asset where we are well served or the deal makes financial sense, than 'hope' that giving a 3-year deal to Ross Barkley will work. UTV.

[dorsetvillian]

If Uni wants Ross Barkley that's good enough for me..