Ross Barkley

[Jags..class]

Ozil and de byrune are wonderful players, especially at passing. In my eyes Barkley is a better player then the rs best player in coutinho.

What Barkley is doing better then those listed above his is tackling, getting involved in defence, clearance and wining those aerial duels. Plus his assists and goals is keeping in touch with those listed above. Barkley is becoming a more rounder midfielder this season. We need to tie him down to a contract. Barkley weakness is himself and he lets criticism from the crowds get to him quick plus snubs from England doesn't help him either. He needs to turn his worries into anger and passion.

 

[toffeeblue9]

De Bruyine is class mate. Barkley needs to learn how to do some of the stuff he does, as he has all the potential to be just as good if not better.

Agree on the 'flat-track bully' aspect at times, but some of the stuff De Bruyne does is outrageous pal.

For me, the key aspect Barkley should take from a player like that is how De Bruyne nearly always picks the right pass. It's why he creates so many chances.

That being said, Ross has markedly improved in the last two months and is genuinely the heartbeat of our side right now.

Yep, think he, along with Deulofeu, was the player who struggled most to adapt to what Koeman wanted from him - both having been indulged and absolved of a lot of defensive responsibility under Martinez

The difference between the two is that Barkley has tried hard to adapt and is now reaping the rewards, Deulofeu on the other hand hasn't (and his track record suggests it was fighting a losing battle) and you see the results

Can't remember a player with so much talent who gets such a rough ride from the crowd, but I am absolutely made up that he's managing to deliver at the moment. The caveat has to be that he went through the first half or so of last season in great form and then it tailed off. He needs to deliver this sort of form consistently over a full season before I'll really believe the penny has dropped.

 

[MikeH72]

Also mate, Barkley just turned 23 about a month ago, De Bruyne will be 26 before next season starts. Hardly comparing like for like, at the age Ross is now, De Bruyne had just been flogged to Germany having been deemed an utter bust at chelsea.

Literally means nothing, Lukaku was flogged to us after being deemed an utter bust at Chelsea.

 

[bluestevon]

Literally means nothing, Lukaku was flogged to us after being deemed an utter bust at Chelsea.

It's the context of comparing a 25/26 year old at his peak to Barkley now mate, rather than using them at the same age - especially when the original poster was talking about how he was dissapointed he hasnt developed the way De Bruyne has

 

[bluestevon]

De Bruyine is class mate. Barkley needs to learn how to do some of the stuff he does, as he has all the potential to be just as good if not better.

Agree on the 'flat-track bully' aspect at times, but some of the stuff De Bruyne does is outrageous pal.

For me, the key aspect Barkley should take from a player like that is how De Bruyne nearly always picks the right pass. It's why he creates so many chances.

That being said, Ross has markedly improved in the last two months and is genuinely the heartbeat of our side right now.

Oh mate, don't misunderstand me, i do rate and always did rate De Bruyne - if you remember was banging on about we should be trying to sign him before he went to Germany etc.

Theres always the tendency to overate players we don't see all the time though and to underate ones we do, the gap between the two is no where near as wide as the general media would have you believe though, especially as Barkley seems to have really taken on board the Koeman idea of how to get to the level he needs to be at.

 

[MikeH72]

It's the context of comparing a 25/26 year old at his peak to Barkley now mate, rather than using them at the same age - especially when the original poster was talking about how he was dissapointed he hasnt developed the way De Bruyne has

Ah right. Yeah I think it was a bit harsh that comparison as well, like I said putting him up against someone like Coutinho makes more sense. Same age, roughly same amount of games in the Prem, neither are at a "top" team.

 

[bluestevon]

Personally I thought De Bruyne was by far City's best player in both games against us, some of the passes he picks out defy belief, it's like he has eyes in the back of his head. Tell you what, if Barkley does reach his level then we can get excited.

You're right with the last paragraph. Comparing Barkley to him at the moment is completely unfair, one is in his prime and cost £56m and the other is a good few years off his peak yet. Coutinho is a more fair comparison I think.

he has some great awareness about him for sure mate, but if you offered me one of them to have at the team i'd take Barkley over him, is he as good right now - nope, will he IMO become the better all around player - then i honestly believe he will be.

As for Coutinho, the very epitome of a 1 in 4 player and a big reason why they struggle against teams way below them but suddenly raise there game against the 'big teams' - because he shows up in those games and takes a day off against most others.

 

[bluestevon]

Ah right. Yeah I think it was a bit harsh that comparison as well, like I said putting him up against someone like Coutinho makes more sense. Same age, roughly same amount of games in the Prem, neither are at a "top" team.

Not even wearing blue tinted specs, but would take Barkley ahead of him every day of the week.

Far greater ceiling on the player

 

[MikeH72]

he has some great awareness about him for sure mate, but if you offered me one of them to have at the team i'd take Barkley over him, is he as good right now - nope, will he IMO become the better all around player - then i honestly believe he will be.

As for Coutinho, the very epitome of a 1 in 4 player and a big reason why they struggle against teams way below them but suddenly raise there game against the 'big teams' - because he shows up in those games and takes a day off against most others.

If Barkley could do this then we really would have some player on our hands, and he'd be head and shoulders above Coutinho. He was brilliant against City last month so it's starting to look like he might be ready to boss those types of games, it's been a while since we last saw that from him against a top side.

 

[bluestevon]

If Barkley could do this then we really would have some player on our hands, and he'd be head and shoulders above Coutinho. He was brilliant against City last month so it's starting to look like he might be ready to boss those types of games, it's been a while since we last saw that from him against a top side.

Basically thats what it comes down to, IF he can start to boss the game against a big side - or simply just play to his level against them, next 5 games sees him with a real chance to build up even more confidence and momentum/belief, spurs being a big marker obviously followed by head to head away games against that lot and United away, he shows up in those three games then we can REALLY start to get excited - and really the same thing applies to Lukaku (although part of me thinks that both are linked together in that regards - neither tend sot show up, if one does think the othe ralso will do)

 

[mkrudden]

you mean De Bruyne who this season has scored 4 league goals the same as Ross has?

As for De Bruyne pretty much looks most times like a flat track bully, distinctly unimpressed nearly every game I've seen him against us - including for wolfsburg. One of the most overhyped players in the league alongside ozil and coutinho.

 

[thebluenosebolt]

I wouldn't swap Barkley for De Bruyne, in 3 years time Barkley will be the better of the two players

I sincerely hope so, I would love to see it. Think Ross will be incredible if he carries on this trajectory. Seeing Ross really impact games has thankfully shut me up with any negative comments. Nothing gives me greater pleasure than being proved wrong..

 

[Barnfred 55]

If Barkley could do this then we really would have some player on our hands, and he'd be head and shoulders above Coutinho. He was brilliant against City last month so it's starting to look like he might be ready to boss those types of games, it's been a while since we last saw that from him against a top side.

I think some of his best games have been against top clubs. Often plays well against City and Arse. Had a great game away to Spurs in his breakout season under Moyes. Was o/s in the 3v3 derby. He's ofter afforded more space in these games. He struggles more against park the bus teams where there's less movement ahead and he's often double marked.

 

[hetion]

I wouldn't swap Barkley for De Bruyne, in 3 years time Barkley will be the better of the two players

De Bruyne's passing is on a different level entirely that I'm not sure Ross will ever reach. Obviously hope you're right of course.

Edit: I absolutely love Ross btw, favourite player in the world.

 

[Deleted member 24970]

I would just like to say for what its worth, these last few months have proven me wrong regarding barkley. I said this was the year ross needed to step up or be sold, lately he has been showing glimpses of what he is capable of.

My only concern is that his talent only shows through when we are on the type of runs we are now.
When the going gets tough, can ross get going ? (thank me for the song stuck in your head now).

To his credit he is getting stuck in, tackles, hard work, and a better all round attitude will compliment his talents going forward - and earn the fans plaudits along the way.