Ross Barkley

[Superblue 6,370]

43 minutes ago, Jype said:

In that formation Fabregas would be a definite starter though. Bakayoko and Kante would be bossing the middle, allowing Cesc to work his magic without any defensive responsibilities so his lack of pace and other flaws wouldn't get exposed as much as they do in the current 3-4-3.

That being said, the 3-5-2 is a formation I've been campaigning for all summer. The idea of Morata-Hazard up front and Bakayoko-Cesc-Kante in midfield sounds really exciting to me. Maybe not a formation to play every game with because players like Willian&Pedro would be rendered obsolete and there's not enough depth in midfield to use it all the time but for some games, maybe against the top teams, it could work. 

But yeah, Barkley could play the Fabregas role in that formation too if he were signed.

It's having the personnel to be flexible to switch between the two. You need specialists to make each work but you also need those versatile enough to play differing roles in each setup and still be effective.

One formation may suit an opponent better or changing mid game. I'm sure this is on conte's mind to have a proper plan b this season.

[Jype 6,398]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/08/09/ross-barkley-could-go-25m-spurs-face-chelsea-threat-evertonmidfielder/

For £25M I wouldn't say no. 

[Special Juan 27,429]

I'd have him here, he's a blank canvas, got good and bad points but Conte could mould him, for 25-30M could be a very good bit of business.

[Superblue 6,370]

1 hour ago, Special Juan said:

I'd have him here, he's a blank canvas, got good and bad points but Conte could mould him, for 25-30M could be a very good bit of business.

He reminds me a little bit like Joe Cole. 

Obvious talent, massively hyped but struggling to fulfil his potential at his boyhood club. 

Like Joe was, I think Barkley tries to hard at times to do things on the ball and his decision making and tactical awareness need work but as you said he can be moulded. Joe Cole when we brought him wanted to be a number 10 but was moulded into an all round attacking midfielder who could operate in a number of different positions. I feel Barkley could do the same.

[xPetrCechx 13,563]

#THFC face mounting competition from Chelsea for Ross Barkley but do not want to pay more than £25m for the #EFC midfielder (Telegraph) #CFC

[Mufassir08 2,400]

Think he can be molded into a top class central midfielder if given enough time. Worth a punt.

[the wes 7,212]

58 minutes ago, Mufassir08 said:

Think he can be molded into a top class central midfielder if given enough time. Worth a punt.

Would be good in three man midfield 

[Blue-in-me-Veins 4,067]

No, let him go to Spurs. 

[The Skipper 20,593]

3 hours ago, Mufassir08 said:

Think he can be molded into a top class central midfielder if given enough time. Worth a punt.

If he could learn how to defend properly (he's not a cone like Cesc, he's a good athlete) he could possibly play in a two. 

[mccg 1,528]

If Ruben Loftus can't get a squad shirt 25-30mill for him seems like bad business but and this stage i'd take him 4sure!

[mccg 1,528]

He must be coming as the messiah aka Steve Nicol says so...

Ross Barkley will sign for Chelsea this summer - Steve Nicol

http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/636194/Chelsea-Transfer-News-Ross-Barkley-Everton-Antonio-Conte-Steve-Nicol-Gossip-Ronald-Koeman

[xPetrCechx 13,563]

Ross Barkley will sign for Chelsea this summer - Steve Nicol

http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/636194/Chelsea-Transfer-News-Ross-Barkley-Everton-Antonio-Conte-Steve-Nicol-Gossip-Ronald-Koeman

[the wes 7,212]

The Telegraph claims that Chelsea are not just tracking Oxlade-Chamberlain, and will compete for the signature of Everton misfit Ross Barkley with Tottenham.

[Chelsea Legend 11 4,062]

8 minutes ago, the wes said:

The Telegraph claims that Chelsea are not just tracking Oxlade-Chamberlain, and will compete for the signature of Everton misfit Ross Barkley with Tottenham.

I find this so hard to believe. Ross Barkley has no position in Chelsea's current setup

[BMox81 193]

2 hours ago, Chelsea Legend 11 said:

I find this so hard to believe. Ross Barkley has no position in Chelsea's current setup

If Conte has visions of playing Cesc in a potential No. 10 role at some point during the season, I see no reason why Barkley couldn't play there either.

I still think Spurs will end up getting him but I wouldn't be adverse to having him at the club.

[Thor 2,392]

Would people rather Barkley over Drinkwater? 

I feel as if he is really young and can still be turned into a good player. He has some great attributes already, and simply needs a world class manager and organisation to get the best out of him. 

Better to get a young home grown talent rather than a stop gap, right? 

[Jype 6,398]

31 minutes ago, Thor said:

Would people rather Barkley over Drinkwater? 

I feel as if he is really young and can still be turned into a good player. He has some great attributes already, and simply needs a world class manager and organisation to get the best out of him. 

Better to get a young home grown talent rather than a stop gap, right? 

Barkley has more potential but as a player type I'd say something in the Drinkwater mould is more what the team needs right now. Barkley is in no way suited for a midfield two so if he came some adjustments would have to be made to the tactics whereas Drinkwater could fit in next to Kante without any changes, and already has experience from playing with the little Frenchman.

If Barkley were to be bought I'd say 3-5-2 with a three man midfield would be the way to go with Fabregas/Barkley rotating for the furthermost CM with Bakayoko and Kante to cover defensive duties. In such formation a need for one more defensive-minded midfielder to play backup for Bakayoko/Kante would still exist, and a player like Drinkwater or someone similar would still have to be bought.

Either that, or Barkley would be playing only as one of the AMs / wingers in the 3-4-3 and compete for a place with Hazard, Willian, Pedro and Musonda but that doesn't change the fact that Barkley coming would have nothing to do with the team still needing one more defensive type midfielder too.

[the wes 7,212]