Ross Barkley

[Eto'odinho]

Lot of hype for a player who is still incredibly raw.

This. Not to belittle his achievements to date as the lad has obviously justified the early promise shown at academy level BUT the proof of the pudding is, he is yet to be tested. Barkley's greatest test lies not in the occasion nor the quality of opposition, for he clearly has the talent to respond to it, but in time. Can he keep doing it over the course of a season? two years or more?

As things stand it will be of mutual benefit to both the player and England if Woy continued to keep him in and around the England camp. That sort of exposure can only aid his development and maturity as a professional footballer.

He is at a good club at the moment with a manager who has demonstrated his willingness to give youngsters a try. It will be best if he remained at Everton for at least three more years.

 

[mufcwarm92]

Very few top sides are rammed full of flair, you need grafters. The galacticos side had struggled without Makelele, we often looked better with Fletcher and Park in the side, Grosskreutz and Bender at Dortmund, Khedira at Madrid and countless others. Then the likes of Muller, Martinez and Busquets, while obviously very technically gifted, are made better players due to their workrate and graft. You need balance in a side and often the less spectacular players provide that. I actually think this City side was at its best when both Milner and Barry played, giving more licence for Toure, Silva, Aguero to strut their stuff.

Back on topic, Barkley does indeed look an exciting talent but it would be daft to write off England's youth prospects. We might not be blessed with wingers right now but it would be hard to argue that one or two of Townsend, Zaha, Ince, Sterling, Oxlade and Redmond won't develop into top players. In midfield Morrison, Ward-Prowse, Carroll, Hughes, Powell, Chalobah - not all of those will make it into the senior side but there's reason to be optimistic for the future.

 

[Rozay]

England have some of the best talent they have had in maybe decades coming through the ranks at the moment. I know they have had players who have reached the very top of the game in recent years, but Wayne Rooney stood out, with everyone going on about how 'un-english' he was because he actually had some flair.

The current crop have some very good technicians. Players like Tom Carroll, for example, is a very un-english midfield prospect. A decade ago, you would need to be big running, big tackling and big shooting to be a top prospect in centre-midfield. Morrison, for me, can become one of Europe's best too. With him, Barkley, Carroll, Wilshere, Chalobah, Powell, Hughes in addition to Ince, Sterling and Zaha - they have a crop who may soon rival some of their Euro counterparts on actual ability.

I said the other day that I don't think Cleverley will be going to the World Cup next year, and I think it's fair to say that the group of Clev and Henderson are not as gifted as the ones coming through now. If this group can find a centre-forward of similar pedigree to the midfielders and defenders they have coming through - England can really do something. A Rooney or Owen of this generation, if you like. The 21s have had dross like Sordell leading the line for them. Hopefully Berahino proves to be the real deal, as he has some real talent. Also our own Will Keane.

 

[adamwest]

I think, deepdown, that's why I'm so against the bloke... the only times I've ever seen him play well for City are games against us. There was that game and a game we lost at the Etihad in which he was also quite good... it's fecking annoying.

Still, they were both years ago.

TBF he was pretty good against us at OT last season too, the cnut.

 

[7even]

Best midfielder today, time for Moyes to do business. Side note, why the feck hell didn't we buy him instead of Fellaini?


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[Nighteyes]

One thing's blatantly clear. He's an AM and I don't see that changing any time around

 

[Duafc]

One thing's blatantly clear. He's an AM and I don't see that changing any time around

Though he's be a great AM, he's an all rounder for me - he's combative and has the quality and confidence to come deep and link with the back 4.

 

[SilentWitness]

One thing's blatantly clear. He's an AM and I don't see that changing any time around

Blatantly clear due to his age and experience. Key parts of his game point to the fact that he can be a box to box midfielder.

 

[Varun]

One thing's blatantly clear. He's an AM and I don't see that changing any time around

Dont see any reason why he cant be moulded into a proper CM, he has all the tools. Whether its the best idea is another matter entirely.

 

[Nighteyes]

Blatantly clear due to his age and experience. Key parts of his game point to the fact that he can be a box to box midfielder.

What key parts?

Seen him a lot this season and while he may become a good CM one day he'll be an even better AM for me.

 

[Red Dreams]

a midfield of Barkley, Powell and Pearson will be pretty darn strong.

 

[bosnian_red]

a midfield of Barkley, Powell and Pearson will be pretty darn strong.

A little early to suggest Pearson will make it don't you think? Same with Powell, I'd wait until they actually start playing in the premier league before judging them properly.

 

[SilentWitness]

What key parts?

Seen him a lot this season and while he may become a good CM one day he'll be an even better AM for me.

He definitely has the physical attributes to become that. At the moment he is playing behind the striker as it's better for us to have a midfield of Barry and McCarthy who do the defensive side of our play very well, and because when Barkley gets the ball he's been playing lovely threaded through balls and likes to take a shot from outside the box so he's positioned well to do so. But even as a no. 10 he has been dropping deep to get the ball and making surging runs forward mainly due to his unbelievable strength for his age (much like Lukaku). At the moment he still loses the ball due to his eagerness and naivety but it's better to do so as a no.10 than as a CM, but when he has the experience and maturity he will surely be able to play box to box.

From another thread. His drive is something that would make him one of the best box-to-box players around in the future, i've not seen a player in a long time who does it as well as he does (disregarding the big names). He is able to ping Scholes-esque balls around the park and is able to do the simple things well and keep everything ticking within the side. Like i say, he already drops deep at times to take control of the midfield.

 

[Moriarty]

He's so good, the caf has two threads on him.

 

[7even]

He's the real package. Strong, good balance, pace, technique, split vision, good passing, combative, energetic and most important of he seems fast in his decision making. In a year or two he will probably be Englands best midfielder if he stays injury free. if we intend to buy him we should do it soon otherwise his price will hit the roof.

 

[Red Dreams]

Everton will want a lot for him but Moyes will have already tapped him up...if he had any sense. so we should get him for a reasonable amount.

 

[van der star]

I really hope his career doesn't fan out like Rodwell's.

 

[Carl]

Still has some traits you'd associate with a young player (selfish, holds onto the ball) but providing he grows out of them he'll be a stunning player.

I still don't see his best position as being behind the striker. He'll develop into a proper central midfielder.

 

[SirAF]

What's certain is that Moyes will keep tabs on him, and make sure that we're in pole postion if he's moving.

 

[Van Piorsing]

I had a dream two weeks ago. It was him signing for United and everyone in the media was comparing his adventure with football to Rooney's.

Subconsciously for many or even few of us he may be already acknowledged as Moyesy's main future target and even if you'll look at it from a clearly logical point of view it makes quite solid amount of sense.

He's representing English school of football in the best meaning of the word and judging from his potential he got time to add a lot more to this already impressive football workshop. He's sharp and dynamic in almost everything he does on the pitch. Work rate and consistency is also impressive. He already looks like a 25 years old player with some teeth and experience.

I remember him against Chelsea this season. He pressed the living feck out of Cole and Luiz that day and if I remember correctly, he helped Everton getting a very satisfying result. He's definitely the type that can shine in big matches.

Moyes is always talking about signing the right players and from his point of view Barkley is probably the most realistic target... feels almost like a matter of time.

 

[Van Piorsing]

I really hope his career doesn't fan out like Rodwell's.

The risk is always there but so far I saw too much of healthy determination from him to not follow Rodwell's way.

 

[Hernandez - BFA]

Us having Moyes definitely gives us some edge in the market for him.

 

[thegregster]

The risk is always there but so far I saw too much of healthy determination from him to not follow Rodwell's way.

If Rodwell went to the likes of us or Arsenal he would be in a much better place(assuming either club would take him).

 

[pocco]

I'm still not really convinced that he's the real deal. He does the basics well and has good physical attributes.

He just looks quite clumsy whenever I've seen him and doesn't always look in control of what he's doing. I only saw the last 20 mins today but the commentators were saying he had had a good game until that point.

 

[NotoriousISSY]

Don't see why people are so set on defining his position. Look at Scholes, he started out as a forward and was a good goalscorer...turns out he was even better at dictating games.

 

[Top]

I'm still not really convinced that he's the real deal. He does the basics well and has good physical attributes.

He just looks quite clumsy whenever I've seen him and doesn't always look in control of what he's doing. I only saw the last 20 mins today but the commentators were saying he had had a good game until that point.

The player you are describing is not Barkley.

 

[Freak]

If Rodwell went to the likes of us or Arsenal he would be in a much better place(assuming either club would take him).

Rodwell has always been very overrated for me. His main problem for me is that he is mentally weak. I always thought he tended to disappear for long periods in games during his time at Everton. Barkley on the other hand always seems to want the ball, and want to be involved. And I love how he has that drive from midfield.

 

[SilentWitness]

Don't see why people are so set on defining his position. Look at Scholes, he started out as a forward and was a good goalscorer...turns out he was even better at dictating games.

Barkley is more effective as an AM right now but he is showing signs of dictating our play, plus he plays Scholes-esque passes most games.

 

[pocco]

The player you are describing is not Barkley.

I don't watch every Everton game like some on here do, but that's what I've seen so far. Not really watched him on the days where everyone raved about him so I haven't seen properly what he's capable of.

 

[RooneyLegend]

In terms of his position I think he could develop into the best midfielder in the world. As a attacking mid can only see him developing into a very good one.

 

[RooneyLegend]

Barkley is more effective as an AM right now but he is showing signs of dictating our play, plus he plays Scholes-esque passes most games.

Isn't that due to the fact that he's rarely been trusted to play a center mid so far in his short pro career rather than how good he is in each position? Honestly thought once he went deeper today Evertons hold on the game improved a lot. His qualities are best suited in the CM IMO.

 

[Van Piorsing]

He's solid as center midfielder but looks confident in pretty much every attacking role, maybe except playing as typical striker.



United was always keen on signing players capable of handling multiple roles.

 

[MDFC Manager]

Looks really talented! Everton will take us to the cleaners over the transfer fees though.

 

[SilentWitness]

Isn't that due to the fact that he's rarely been trusted to play a center mid so far in his short pro career rather than how good he is in each position? Honestly thought once he went deeper today Evertons hold on the game improved a lot. His qualities are best suited in the CM IMO.

See my other posts in the thread. I too think he will be able to make the shift to a CM. it's mainly due to his experience, the fact we have two solid duos in Barry/McCarthy and him/Lukaku.

 

[Sandikan]

looks very old Rooney-esque in some ways, namely strength, skills and running on the ball.

It's all potential at the minute, not much end product going on

 

[Devil may care]

He was very good today and at 19 he is one of the most exciting young prospects in the PL. Right now it's hard to say where he will end up playing, he can probably become a CM but it might not be to the benefit of his game. I could see him as Lampard's replacement at Chelsea.

 

[Jiggs'Hamstring]

He looks fantastic, but I can't see why everyone's treating the suggestion he might be a forward as a dirty word. Right now he's thriving as a 10, leave him to it, it's not an insult.

The big worry is how logical it seems that he could step into Lampard's shoes (as above). At which point I'd declare him a twat.

 

[holdsteady]

Send him up the canal
Cause we play so banal
Viva Ross Barkley

 

[Raoul]

Hopefully Moyes is looking at the likes of Barkley and Draxler - preferaby both.

 

[Eric'sCollar]

If we sign someone in January, I think he is the only real option. I honestly can't see us bringing in someone from a Champions League club.