This season, has to some extent, the possibility of being a make or break season for Barkley with regards to being seen as a 'world class' talent.
As I've mentioned numerous times, Barkley has the 'potential' to be a fantastic player. However, he is still a long way from making this a reality.
Physically he has the ability to be a real start, which is shown by some of the wonderful moments he has produced. But they're the exceptions.
Far too often the game passes by him, as mentally I think he is currently lacking: inconsistent; poor decisions; looks unwilling to get stuck in.
Last season he arguably showed more glimpses of brilliance than he did this year, although both times he had his fair share of poor performances.
We were talking about £40m plus last season for his talent with many potential suitors; this season that interest has gone. His value? Dropped.
Unless he begins to improve those mental attributes, which is much harder to coach, then he may simply stagnate or not fully fulfil his potential
He'll never be a poor player... but will he be a world-class player? I sincerely hope so, but I have doubts which seem to keep niggling away.
He wasn't even our best young player last season by a fair distance (not even his debut season); let alone one of the best in the league.
Basically... he needs to up his game soon as the excuses are seeming to run slightly thin.
