Ross Barkley... | Back to Villa?

Who is this "top player" Ross Barkley. Never has been nor having that potential.
Fancy touches, good balance and fine dribbling skills, as an attacker just okay in everything else, just a good player, nothing to get excited about.

Every young player has that I guess. I see the same in McTominay :rolleyes:

Of course, you forgot to mention his shooting ability, with left and right foot. Barkley was obviously a highly promising young player. He was being touted for massive money as a teenager at Everton, and has only ever been linked with joining CL-level clubs while he was there, before eventually joining one.

You know all this anyway, because you were there, but by all means...
 
Started the season pretty well. Starting to mature more as a player. Decision making is improving. Not doing too much like he used to do and is slowly adapting to that number 8 role.

Had a really good game against Southampton, coming up with a goal and an assist. Was decent for England yesterday, too.
 
Started the season pretty well. Starting to mature more as a player. Decision making is improving. Not doing too much like he used to do and is slowly adapting to that number 8 role.

Had a really good game against Southampton, coming up with a goal and an assist. Was decent for England yesterday, too.

Did you ever in your life criticise any England player?
 
Funny one. Do you mind telling me who I've praised then? Take your time.

You barely ever criticised any of our English players, and I noticed you praising other English, non United, players from time to time, such as Barkley.
 
Played well tonight for England. There’s a lot more to come from him too.
 
I think midfield will suit him well long term. He's another like Ox that are very good footballers, but not quite suited to playing as an AM or a winger all the time. But playing in midfield they can join the attack and contribute.
 
Great little pass, needs playing time and luck with injuries, then he will be fine. Sarri could be his lottery win.
 
I think midfield will suit him well long term. He's another like Ox that are very good footballers, but not quite suited to playing as an AM or a winger all the time. But playing in midfield they can join the attack and contribute.

Came to post the same. They are much more effective playing in three man midfield.
 
Got laughed at for saying this on here ages ago, but I do feel he’s a bit of a De Bruyne-lite, and if every possible star aligned, a team could get a lot of Kevin’s qualities from him. Kevin’s final ball is another level, but the pace, power and drive through the middle, then the cannon of a shot off both the right and left... I dunno, he has something.
 
Stagnated for so long due to injuries and lack of belief....good to see him in good form currently as he does have qualities the regular England midfield lacks.

Is he really going to play the big games for Chelsea though? Kante and Jorginho are automatic picks so leaves one spot between him, Fabregas and kovacic who started v Liverpool.
 
Stagnated for so long due to injuries and lack of belief....good to see him in good form currently as he does have qualities the regular England midfield lacks.

Is he really going to play the big games for Chelsea though? Kante and Jorginho are automatic picks so leaves one spot between him, Fabregas and kovacic who started v Liverpool.

Cesc seems to be Jorginho's backup now. It is between Barkley and Kovacic.
 
Even if he doesn't play all the games he still will start games between Premier League and Europa League. Also add that coaching matters, if someone believed Sarri doesn't improve players.
 
Had a bit of a set back with that injury of his. This season he has regained fitness and you can slowly see his confidence is coming back.

To me, he's always had the ability, but had to improve his tactical approach to the game. Game by game, and with the coaching of Sarri and his staff, hopefully that can continue to improve and we start to see him develop into a top player.
 
Stagnated for so long due to injuries and lack of belief....good to see him in good form currently as he does have qualities the regular England midfield lacks.

Is he really going to play the big games for Chelsea though? Kante and Jorginho are automatic picks so leaves one spot between him, Fabregas and kovacic who started v Liverpool.
Don't think they need Kante in every game.
 
Baka who?

Talk Meelan will send him back to Chelsea in January as according to Gattuso he can't control a ball properly.:lol:

Makes you wonder who does the scouting for these clubs as I could've told anyone that after watching him for Monaco.
 
Imagine the day where an english CM outshined the best spanish midfielders Thiago and Saul:lol:

I am very intrigued to see where his journey goes, Sarri is the perfect manager for him and I hope he can have many games. I think he has more potential than Kovacic, who is a bit of a hipster favourite, but also quite one-dimensional in his skill-set.
 
Imagine the day where an english CM outshined the best spanish midfielders Thiago and Saul:lol:

I am very intrigued to see where his journey goes, Sarri is the perfect manager for him and I hope he can have many games. I think he has more potential than Kovacic, who is a bit of a hipster favourite, but also quite one-dimensional in his skill-set.

Would disagree here; Kovacic has an understanding of space and how best to pass and move that Barkley just doesn't. Can't ever see Barkley making that killer pass vs. Liverpool in the league that Kovacic did. Also would say that Kovacic is much better at pressing high - though his defensive positioning isn't always ideal, he's statistically one of the best pressing midfielders in Europe over the past few seasons and I can't see Barkley ever being that sort of player. I would definitely agree, however, that Barkley is more well rounded offensively even if he is nowhere near Kovacic in terms of dribbling ability.