Ross Barkley

[communicate 2,703]

Barkley is quite different though, he is most importantly english and offers different qualities; strenght and possibility of playing deeper. We have plenty of AM players, but I think Oscar should have some competition. Lallana would be good aswell.

Im 100% against Barkley joining us in summer though, IF we buy him, he should go straight back on loan to Everton for at least 2 years.

Another thing is that Mou needs to finalise exactly what formation will we play in next years, who will also come in summer, who will go. If we buy top CM, then Barkley seriously wont have chance of getting into first 11 for next 5 years, unless he realy improves. Also what will happen with Ginkel, Piazon, T.Hazard, Romeu,...

Having Matic, Ramires, Barkley and another CM/DM ala Gundogan/Vidal in few years would be amazing. But at the moment, Barkley is no where the level of being our starter in CM position.

Oscar has Willian as his competitor, we have 5 young player for 3 positions (I think save to say 4 players for 2 positions because hazard will play almost all our games) that is enough or mata/kdb will happen again.

I am not sure about barkley as pivot, if he is groomed by Everton to be a midfield probably, but clearly he is going to play that no 10 position for Everton.

[communicate 2,703]

Would anyone swap him for Lukaku?

Hell NO

[Pizy 18,861]

People need to stop thinking of Barkley as an AM. Almost positive his future lies further back as a #8. Think he'll be going head to head with Wilshere in the England setup in the middle of the park.

[The Skipper 20,609]

No because we need striker not an attacking midfielder. Plus, Romelu is worth much more, imo.

I wouldn't..........

Hell NO

Let me rephrase - if we got a WC striker in and Lukaku wasn't ready to accept a number two role here (just hypothetically) would you then do it?

[The Skipper 20,609]

People need to stop thinking of Barkley as an AM. Almost positive his future lies further back as a #8. Think he'll be going head to head with Wilshere in the England setup in the middle of the park.

I too see him as an #8.

[Reddish-Blue 2,489]

I too see him as an #8.

We are basically playing 4-2-3-1:

-------------Striker-----------

Hazard --- Oscar -- Willian

-------Matic -- new player

--------Back Four-----------

---------Goalkeeper--------

The problem is...Barkley isn't experienced enough to sit deep and play alongside Matic...his best position seems to be as the most advanced midfielder.

Even at Everton, Barkley has the support of two deeper midfielders in terms of Barry and McCarthy.

If Everton are willing to sell, I'd much rather sign McCarthy instead of Barkley as Matic's new partner.

[Reddish-Blue 2,489]

People need to stop thinking of Barkley as an AM. Almost positive his future lies further back as a #8. Think he'll be going head to head with Wilshere in the England setup in the middle of the park.

You can't stop thinking of Barkley as an AM..because that's his position: the most advanced of Everton's three midfielders.

Barry and McCarthy do the dirty work in midfield and then Barkley gets forward to support Mirallas, Naismith/Pienaar and Lukaku

I'm not sure how well Matic + Barkley with Oscar as the CAM would work...but it doesn't look like the right combination.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Let me rephrase - if we got a WC striker in and Lukaku wasn't ready to accept a number two role here (just hypothetically) would you then do it?

No I still would take 30-35m for Romelu and invest in a CM and a LB.

[Sidzeret 2,257]

The million dollar question- Can he play in the pivot and compliment Matic?

[haranr 485]

The million dollar question- Can he play in the pivot and compliment Matic?

Sure

[Mufassir08 2,400]

Let me rephrase - if we got a WC striker in and Lukaku wasn't ready to accept a number two role here (just hypothetically) would you then do it?

If and that is a big if Lukaku does not want to be 2nd choice then I would sell him to the highest bidder and use that money to invest in a couple of top class midfielders.

[Severinb 309]

I have a feeling he is the player jose always wanted as a number 8 and/or10 for chelsea. I can see us paying enough and geting him in the summer!

[kellzfresh 7,229]

I have a feeling he is the player jose always wanted as a number 8 and/or10 for chelsea. I can see us paying enough and geting him in the summer!

True. He likes strength on the ball, power in his shots, freekicks specialists and is english. Will replace lamps completely

[lionsden 4,689]

Premiership experience aside. Is the gap, talent wise, between barkley and Loftus cheik so huge as to justify paying the ridiculous sum that he will likely go for rather than just nurture RLC into the first team. I have seen enough of both players to know the answer is no. IMO ofcourse.

[Special Juan 28,119]

Premiership experience aside. Is the gap, talent wise, between barkley and Loftus cheik so huge as to justify paying the ridiculous sum that he will likely go for rather than just nurture RLC into the first team. I have seen enough of both players to know the answer is no. IMO ofcourse.

I agree, and it's a good point. It can also be labelled straight towards paying huge sums for Costa and that of shotting Lukaku straight in as #1 striker next season.