A year ago most of the people I see at the match faced with the possibility of Barkleys departure would have shrugged , most had given up on him. It seemed we had seen the best of him, sporadic flashes of brilliance in attack coupled with a frustrating propensity to run into dead ends. Out of possession he was largely ineffectual, a gaping hole in the the all important centre of the park. He appeared an addition to the team rather than part of it.
This season he has become a central part of the team. Continually probing and directing attacks and battling to regain the ball when not in possession. His improvement has been impressive and most would be sorry if he did decided to leave. If he continues as he is I could see him as our future captain. Koeman has managed him impeccably.