Ross Barkley

[granter79]

It is clear Koeman treats Ross exactly like any other player. He demands attention, hard work, improvement. Ross is seen by our new boss as ANO player not the golden child.

In fact I'd argue Koeman has been far harsher on several others. Niasse is the most obvious but Mirallas, Jagielka, Robles, Stekelenburg and Funes-Mori were all sent to the doghouse at various times. Mirallas responded well enough to earn a new contract. Jagielka regained his place and showed a big improvement. Stek and Robles both got yanked after a couple of bad games. No sentiment. No favouritism. It is who Koeman is as a manager. Perform or I'll pick someone else.

Ultimately Robles, Ross & F-M all remain too inconsistent to be automatic starters. They also all had obvious sulks. As a consequence they are now seen as squad players. Useful but expendable if the right offer comes along. That is fair enough for me. I like Ross. His talent is obvious but he's unreliable and I wouldn't build a team around him. I wouldn't want him in the starting line up in August based on his form last season.

The only people treating him differently are the fans who cling to him as one of our own and make excuses for him.

This is not the place for sensible posts mate. Especially of a Monday.

 

[Joey66]

This saga has cast a shadow over what most view as a most positive transfer window. Although I want Barkley to stay I fear we've seen the last of him in a Blue shirt.

Koeman set his stall out - rightly or wrongly - and said he'd be sold if he's not signing as he had to prepare for the new season. He is the manager and calls the shots regarding team selection, so as preseason gathers momentum the longer any contract goes unsigned the less likely it'll ever be.

Koeman doesn't strike me as someone who says one thing but does another and he holds the power as to who plays for Everton each week or not.

There's a lot of media talk of Spurs as a destination should Ross move but I don't rule Man City out of the final equation. They've offloaded numerous squad players in midfield and top end of the pitch in Nolito, Navas & Zabaleta ended up playing centre mid! Likely departures of Bony, Nasri and Iheanacho - I think even the most casual observer would say Ross is stronger than Delph - so despite some arrivals there would appear to be space for another attacking midfielder.

The amount of possession City tend to have in games would suit him - yet they often fail to create chances - seems to suggest a potential squad role does exist. Added to the fact Ross would have less defensive duties than required at Everton I can see a late move for him and let's face it wages won't be an issue.

All conjecture, but I remember the picture of him and Stonesy some years back watching City in a CL game and thought at the time it was more than coincidence. I'm sure he'd jump at the opportunity if presented.

May never happen but nothing surprises me now in football. I hope he stays as we are stronger with him in our ranks but one thing is sure it'll get resolved shortly one way or the other.

If he moves then I feel he will team up with Lukaku, if so good luck to him - love him to stay and sign but it's getting less likely now!

 

[Joey66]

This is not the place for sensible posts mate. Especially of a Monday.

Niassie got a shirt number and maybe a locker?

 

[nsno-chris]

Maybe he wants out for personal reasons. Nobody knows

If he does go, those street end tits best not boo him on his return. Ket wig whoppers

 

[Ebrell22]

Just want him gone now, his brain does not match his talent but hinders it

 

[chicoazul]

Not really mate.. he can do things that can't be coached ... his problem is he can't be coached to get rid of the basic flaws in his game ... most prem players can be improved with coaching ... ross has been described as uncoachable has he not?

Link me up where he's been described as this so I can see what the context is please mate.

Again, would you say it's fair to comment that you have a slight obsession with our boy Ross Barkley on here?

 

[Ron Burgundy]

Such an odd one, this.

Levy being his usual tight arse self?

 

[msb]

Personally I'm getting a bit fed up of inter-blue warfare on here.

He signs, great.
He leaves, sad but his choice.

End of, really.

 

[blulouie]

Getting a bit unsavoury this thread.

Cant see the point meself like , lids bickering over a player that obviously see's his future elsewhere.

The club doing exactly the right thing here , no matter what the emotional ties the club has to do what is right for the club.....just like any other club does.

Player WANTS out get the best deal
.....see Arnautavic / Stoke
Siggurdson/Swansea.
Indeed Lukaku / Everton.

But OK thats football.

 

[Noble Savage]

Personally I'm getting a bit fed up of inter-blue warfare on here.

He signs, great.
He leaves, sad but his choice.

End of, really.

I agree , it would be sad to see a blues fan leave but we have had much better players leave and we've been okay .

 

[whiteshadow]

If a player runs his contract down to the final year and refuses to sign a new contract, I don't get how that's the managers fault.

I understand why some people think Koeman could have handled it better, which I agree with, but the point is Ross doesn't want to be here.

I think some people wanted to believe Ross really wanted to stay because he's a Blue, so they look to blame it on something the club\manager have done, but the whole situation has arisen due to the player.

If Ross was going to stay he would have already signed by now, we're just waiting to agree a fee with Spurs then he'll be off.

Bit of a shame as he has a lot of ability but I'm not convinced he's intelligent or quick thinking enough to translate that ability in to top level performances on a regular basis.

 

[Stuartisitc1878]

If a player runs his contract down to the final year and refuses to sign a new contract, I don't get how that's the managers fault.

I understand why some people think Koeman could have handled it better, which I agree with, but the point is Ross doesn't want to be here.

I think some people wanted to believe Ross really wanted to stay because he's a Blue, so they look to blame it on something the club\manager have done, but the whole situation has arisen due to the player.

If Ross was going to stay he would have already signed by now, we're just waiting to agree a fee with Spurs then he'll be off.

Bit of a shame as he has a lot of ability but I'm not convinced he's intelligent or quick thinking enough to translate that ability in to top level performances on a regular basis.

great post

 

[TheCount]

Davy Klaassen is a better box 2 box midfielder, better no.10 and a better dancer.

 

[windymiller]

Such an odd one, this.

Levy being his usual tight arse self?

I'm not sure why people think that it's odd (not just you, loads of people have been saying it ). It seems to me that it is most likely that Ross has refused the new deal, the club won't be offering anything beyond that last contract offer and that both parties are looking for Ross' next destination. The problem Ross has is that none of the big boys seem to have shown any interest and that Spurs, with Levy in charge of transfers, were always going to leave it until they can get the best price. Spurs don't have a pressing need for a player in Ross' position so can play chicken with us because if they are gazumped, by West Ham or Newcastle for example, then it's not the end of the world. If I was to bet on it I would say he ends up at Spurs on transfer deadline day, failing that he joins a mid-table type team in a week or two. I very much doubt he'll be here in September.

 

[msb]

then if it is to be transfer deadline day, can we lock this thread until then, before someone invades Poland or starts chaining themselves to race horses.