Ross Barkley

[Special Juan 27,422]

Lad needs a lot of credit, he's worked fucking hard to get himself back to 100% fitness and has adapted unreal to Sarri's style of football.

He deserves all the praise he is getting.

[Sideshow Luiz 2,310]

With the way that Barkley is playing, do we try to buy Kovacic in the summer?

I know Kovacic is a step above, but is he a 50M step-up?

Considering: 

We need a ST (probably). 

We need a winger who will probably cost more than either Willian or Pedro.  Maybe 2, but everyone will cost less than Hazard anyway.

It may depend on Mount's progression.  It's a long way from the Championship to heavy rotation for a title contender.

Personally, I'd like to see, next season (assuming that Mount isn't ready yet).

 

Kovacic/Barkley                     Kante/RLC

               Jorginho/Cesc or other DLP (I think Cesc is off)

 

Mount on loan to a PL or Bundesliga team (that play in a 433).

So, yes, I think Kovacic is worth the 50 or so, and Barkley is a great bench option to have.

[kellzfresh 7,229]

1 hour ago, Sideshow Luiz said:

With the way that Barkley is playing, do we try to buy Kovacic in the summer?

I know Kovacic is a step above, but is he a 50M step-up?

Considering: 

We need a ST (probably). 

We need a winger who will probably cost more than either Willian or Pedro.  Maybe 2, but everyone will cost less than Hazard anyway.

It may depend on Mount's progression.  It's a long way from the Championship to heavy rotation for a title contender.

Personally, I'd like to see, next season (assuming that Mount isn't ready yet).

 

Kovacic/Barkley                     Kante/RLC

               Jorginho/Cesc or other DLP (I think Cesc is off)

 

Mount on loan to a PL or Bundesliga team (that play in a 433).

So, yes, I think Kovacic is worth the 50 or so, and Barkley is a great bench option to have.

The possibility of Hazard going has made Kovacic even more important to us. We could use him and isco as a bargaining chip if it comes to that. We will need all the quality we can get to replace someone of Hazard's caliber. 

[OneMoSalah 8,776]

7 hours ago, kellzfresh said:

The possibility of Hazard going has made Kovacic even more important to us. We could use him and isco as a bargaining chip if it comes to that. We will need all the quality we can get to replace someone of Hazard's caliber. 

I'm sorry but no way Real give us Isco and Kovacic. Get real. There is no chance we would get Isco alone never mind with Kovacic. Kovacic is much more realistic because it seems hes very much disillusioned with life at Real, rarely playing regularly in his time there, so he is the more ideal player to pursue. Although we can sign him without losing Hazard if he really likes his time here I think. Think 45-50M would do it really if hes keen to stay. 

[Sideshow Luiz 2,310]

35 minutes ago, OneMoSalah said:

I'm sorry but no way Real give us Isco and Kovacic. Get real. There is no chance we would get Isco alone never mind with Kovacic. Kovacic is much more realistic because it seems hes very much disillusioned with life at Real, rarely playing regularly in his time there, so he is the more ideal player to pursue. Although we can sign him without losing Hazard if he really likes his time here I think. Think 45-50M would do it really if hes keen to stay. 

I thought I read somewhere during silly season that Man Utd offered 50, but Kovacic turned it down because he didn't want to play as a CB (well, style of play, but you get what I mean).

[Vesper 28,768]

29 minutes ago, OneMoSalah said:

I'm sorry but no way Real give us Isco and Kovacic. Get real. There is no chance we would get Isco alone never mind with Kovacic. Kovacic is much more realistic because it seems hes very much disillusioned with life at Real, rarely playing regularly in his time there, so he is the more ideal player to pursue. Although we can sign him without losing Hazard if he really likes his time here I think. Think 45-50M would do it really if hes keen to stay. 

Yes. Most we can hope for this coming summer is around £100m. They just offered around £110m or so for a JANUARY transfer. RM will probably pass. Sign him on a free in a year and a half. Or do some crazy Kovacic for Hazard plus £35m as I honestly think they will try and prise £60-65m or so out of us for Kovacic. Maybe we can bait Juve (if Allegri replaces Mourinho and ZZ takes the Juve job) into Hazard plus cash for Dybala. Use the threat of him going to RM if they dont deal. Hazard might want to play for ZZ and we know ZZ wants him BAD.

Unless Eden renews we are going to get raped. Already resigned myself to this upcoming disaster.

[kellzfresh 7,229]

14 hours ago, OneMoSalah said:

I'm sorry but no way Real give us Isco and Kovacic. Get real. There is no chance we would get Isco alone never mind with Kovacic. Kovacic is much more realistic because it seems hes very much disillusioned with life at Real, rarely playing regularly in his time there, so he is the more ideal player to pursue. Although we can sign him without losing Hazard if he really likes his time here I think. Think 45-50M would do it really if hes keen to stay. 

Kovacic is a given if we sell Hazard. Our board will be so stupid to not get him in if Hazard leaves.

Isco is possible if he fears not having any game time with Hazard coming and pushes for a move. But its a long shot. Hopefully Hazard signs some sort of deal 400k or so and all this ends

[OneMoSalah 8,776]

8 hours ago, kellzfresh said:

Kovacic is a given if we sell Hazard. Our board will be so stupid to not get him in if Hazard leaves.

Isco is possible if he fears not having any game time with Hazard coming and pushes for a move. But its a long shot. Hopefully Hazard signs some sort of deal 400k or so and all this ends

Isco plays as a 10 or as the most advanced central midfielder in a 3. Hazard as a left winger. Hazard going there or staying here doesn't affect Isco's place in the team and making that assumption is desperation hoping that we'd get him or Eden won't go for that reason more than anything. Only Asensios place would be under threat really but again Asensio played as a sub/rotation player for Ronaldo a lot and still got a lot of minutes under Zidane.

[Jase 43,479]

Seems to be finding form and the goals! Would be HUGE if he can contribute at least 10-15 goals this season.

[Pizy 18,368]

In good form for sure. Thought Kovacic was once again good today so lots of people calling for Ross to replace him in our best XI I disagree with. Kovacic is better in the middle third of the pitch and with intricate link up play whereas Barkley is better in front of goal.

Tough selection dilemma for Sarri. Plus there's still RLC and Cesc who haven't even shown what they can do in this team yet.

[Sideshow Luiz 2,310]

I like having both (Kovacic and Barkley).  There's a lot of running and pressing in our midfield.  Kovacic played well, but was starting to tire.  I think both of them would struggle to play all 90 against quality opposition like today.  

[Jase 43,479]

4 minutes ago, Pizy said:

In good form for sure. Thought Kovacic was once again good today so lots of people calling for Ross to replace him in our best XI I disagree with. Kovacic is better in the middle third of the pitch and with intricate link up play whereas Barkley is better in front of goal.

It's a bit dilemma between the two really - Kovacic offers better ball retention and link-up play while Barkley carries a goal threat which we could really use in this team. 

5 minutes ago, Pizy said:

Tough selection dilemma for Sarri. Plus there's still RLC and Cesc who haven't even shown what they can do in this team yet.

Pretty sure Fabregas is Jorginho's back up considering he's played as the deep lying playmaker when the latter has been rested.

[Sideshow Luiz 2,310]

10 minutes ago, Jason said:

It's a bit dilemma between the two really - Kovacic offers better ball retention and link-up play while Barkley carries a goal threat which we could really use in this team. 

Pretty sure Fabregas is Jorginho's back up considering he's played as the deep lying playmaker when the latter has been rested.

I'm not against both of them starting in some matches.  In a match like today, Kante is a must because you need his energy and he's guaranteed to play all 90.  But, in others, where we're going to have 70% of the ball, I could see them both playing.

[Superblue 6,370]

Really pleased for how things are going for Barkley. It could have been very easy to be labelled a flop and cast off all too quickly but he showed a lot of determination and application over the summer to get himself ready for this season and it can just go to show where some hard work can take you.

A few people when we signed him were mentioning that he is essentially a blank canvas because he's never really held a set position in a team and i think that has also benefit him with Sarri coming in able to shape him how he sees fit. Loftus-Cheek could take a lot from what Barkley has done over the past 12 months and where he has ended up. Sometimes a step backwards is needed to move forward.

I don't see Barkley as this 'Gazza-esque' special talent which he's been saddled with for years. I don't think he was ever that. 

What I see in Barkley now is someone who is becoming a consistent, reliable and trusted performer for the club. He won't put up crazy numbers of goals and assists but he's more than capable of chipping in with around 10 of each per season which is what we need in that position. 

[the wes 7,212]

Sarri as done a great job on Barkley under Conte Barkley lose all his confidence now he looks like a great player 

[manpe 10,861]

Well done Barksy, assist and goal. MOTM

[the wes 7,212]

Ross Barkley is the first Englishman to score in three consecutive Premier League games for Chelsea since Frank Lampard in February 2013.

[xPetrCechx 13,563]

1 hour ago, the wes said:

Ross Barkley is the first Englishman to score in three consecutive Premier League games for Chelsea since Frank Lampard in February 2013.

the next lamps?...