Ross Barkley

[Matt the Giant]

I watched highlights from yesterday's game, and seriously... anyone not in favor of attaining him must be out of their mind.
Yesterday he played in the position we would play him, central midfield, and he was the best player on the pitch! He's got the passing range, work ethics, pace, shot, physique... pretty much everything. And he's only 21 years old!!

I really hope we are working on getting him to our club. A future city icon, much like Zabaleta hopefully.

So you didn't see him fail to get a foothold in the game, constantly occupy the same space as other Everton players and mislay passes right until he scored that great goal, did you?

Don't get me wrong, he could be very,very good, but people need to start looking at his overall game and not just a couple of wonder strikes.

Folk were saying he looked good against us, but the reason for that was we gave them the middle, and as soon as he threatened we switched formation, bringing Lampard into his area and there wasn't a sign of him for the rest of that game.

Very good player, but he's definitely flattering to deceive right now.

You are right mate, I didn't watch the whole game, but I have watched enough of him, particularly during last season, to have a pretty good assessment of what the boy is capable of. Last night was also a new position for him, playing deeper, and I thought, based on the highlights, he did a cracking job there.

 

[BillyShears]

I'm sure he could be part of a first eleven that could win either trophy, I highly doubt he'll ever be a better player than Yaya or Silva as FTE claims, Yaya in his prime was the best box to box player in World football and Silva along with Iniesta has been rightly classed as one of the best creative players in the game, there are very, very few players that will ever have the potential to be as good as those two have been. Barkley has potential but he'll do well if he matches Dinho, Milner or Nasri. Koke/Pogba/Gundogan are currently the best young players in central midfield, they'll do well to ever be as good as Yaya has been. Even if he is a c**t.

Barkley's a better player than Koke and Gundogan were at his age. He's on the same level as Pogba at that age and will develop IMO into not just the best midfield player in England, but one of the top 5 in the world. He has every attribute required, including the right mentality ( as opposed to a lot of English players ) .

No he's not, if you think that you obviously didn't see Gundogan playing at 18/19, all the lad was missing was a bit of strength and physicality, all the ability and the football brain were already there, along with consistency and composure. He might be better than Koke was at that age but he's a lot more developed in a physical sense than Koke was who was still growing in height at that age. Barkley's challenge now is to develop mentally over the next 3-4 years, the biggest challenge any young player goes through and I'd wait and see how he does with that before proclaiming him a world beater.

Oh and if you want to compare players at young ages he's not a patch on Wilshere at that age, look how well he's doing.

The Wilshere comment is a red herring mate, as no matter what people said of him at that age, his development has been stunted as much because of his own poor mentality as anything else.

Putting that aside, what do you think Barkley is missing that Gundogan and Koke both have in terms of raw attributes? For me you could argue his decision making isn't at their level, but I'd argue that everything else is where it should be to say the players are at least on the same/similar levels.

 

[aguero93:20]

Barkley's a better player than Koke and Gundogan were at his age. He's on the same level as Pogba at that age and will develop IMO into not just the best midfield player in England, but one of the top 5 in the world. He has every attribute required, including the right mentality ( as opposed to a lot of English players ) .

No he's not, if you think that you obviously didn't see Gundogan playing at 18/19, all the lad was missing was a bit of strength and physicality, all the ability and the football brain were already there, along with consistency and composure. He might be better than Koke was at that age but he's a lot more developed in a physical sense than Koke was who was still growing in height at that age. Barkley's challenge now is to develop mentally over the next 3-4 years, the biggest challenge any young player goes through and I'd wait and see how he does with that before proclaiming him a world beater.

Oh and if you want to compare players at young ages he's not a patch on Wilshere at that age, look how well he's doing.

The Wilshere comment is a red herring mate, as no matter what people said of him at that age, his development has been stunted as much because of his own poor mentality as anything else.

Putting that aside, what do you think Barkley is missing that Gundogan and Koke both have in terms of raw attributes? For me you could argue his decision making isn't at their level, but I'd argue that everything else is where it should be to say the players are at least on the same/similar levels.

His decision making isn't as good but I agree that should improve as he gains experience. That''s not the problem, the problem is that technically (first touch control and passing) he's not at the same level and imo never will be (it's something you have to learn at a young age while your hand to eye co-ordination and your brain are still developing)so he'll have to compensate with other areas of his game. He also doesn't have Gundogan's freakish speed of thought that allows him to leave an entire opposition defence stranded on their heels and turn defence into attack with that one touch. Barkley also looks like he won't physically develop much further whereas Koke hasn't stopped yet and Pogba is miles and miles ahead of Barkley physically, always has been, always will be.

Wilshere's development has been stunted by a couple of bad injuries at an earlier stage of his career and much as it has by him being a dickhead.

 

[BillyShears]

No he's not, if you think that you obviously didn't see Gundogan playing at 18/19, all the lad was missing was a bit of strength and physicality, all the ability and the football brain were already there, along with consistency and composure. He might be better than Koke was at that age but he's a lot more developed in a physical sense than Koke was who was still growing in height at that age. Barkley's challenge now is to develop mentally over the next 3-4 years, the biggest challenge any young player goes through and I'd wait and see how he does with that before proclaiming him a world beater.

Oh and if you want to compare players at young ages he's not a patch on Wilshere at that age, look how well he's doing.

The Wilshere comment is a red herring mate, as no matter what people said of him at that age, his development has been stunted as much because of his own poor mentality as anything else.

Putting that aside, what do you think Barkley is missing that Gundogan and Koke both have in terms of raw attributes? For me you could argue his decision making isn't at their level, but I'd argue that everything else is where it should be to say the players are at least on the same/similar levels.

His decision making isn't as good but I agree that should improve as he gains experience. That''s not the problem, the problem is that technically (first touch control and passing) he's not at the same level and imo never will be (it's something you have to learn at a young age while your hand to eye co-ordination and your brain are still developing)so he'll have to compensate with other areas of his game. He also doesn't have Gundogan's freakish speed of thought that allows him to leave an entire opposition defence stranded on their heels and turn defence into attack with that one touch. Barkley also looks like he won't physically develop much further whereas Koke hasn't stopped yet and Pogba is miles and miles ahead of Barkley physically, always has been, always will be.

Wilshere's development has been stunted by a couple of bad injuries at an earlier stage of his career and much as it has by him being a dickhead.

Have to say, I get the impression you just don't like Barkley because there's little in there I agree with. Toure's technique, first touch, even his passing, were not what they are today when he joined Barcelona from Monaco. He was a good player, but nothing like the player he is today.

I agree about Gundogan's speed of thought, but I'm not sure how you can accurately assess that Barkley has stopped developing physically, that Koke hasn't, and that Pogba is 'miles and miles' ahead. He's an inch shorter and a few kilo's heavier than Barkley.

For me overall there's little between Barkley, Pogba, and Koke in terms of the one we should sign. They're slightly different players in slightly different stages of their development, but for me the fact Barkley is English makes it a no brainer that we sign him.

 

[aguero93:20]

The Wilshere comment is a red herring mate, as no matter what people said of him at that age, his development has been stunted as much because of his own poor mentality as anything else.

Putting that aside, what do you think Barkley is missing that Gundogan and Koke both have in terms of raw attributes? For me you could argue his decision making isn't at their level, but I'd argue that everything else is where it should be to say the players are at least on the same/similar levels.

His decision making isn't as good but I agree that should improve as he gains experience. That''s not the problem, the problem is that technically (first touch control and passing) he's not at the same level and imo never will be (it's something you have to learn at a young age while your hand to eye co-ordination and your brain are still developing)so he'll have to compensate with other areas of his game. He also doesn't have Gundogan's freakish speed of thought that allows him to leave an entire opposition defence stranded on their heels and turn defence into attack with that one touch. Barkley also looks like he won't physically develop much further whereas Koke hasn't stopped yet and Pogba is miles and miles ahead of Barkley physically, always has been, always will be.

Wilshere's development has been stunted by a couple of bad injuries at an earlier stage of his career and much as it has by him being a dickhead.

Have to say, I get the impression you just don't like Barkley because there's little in there I agree with. Toure's technique, first touch, even his passing, were not what they are today when he joined Barcelona from Monaco. He was a good player, but nothing like the player he is today.

I agree about Gundogan's speed of thought, but I'm not sure how you can accurately assess that Barkley has stopped developing physically, that Koke hasn't, and that Pogba is 'miles and miles' ahead. He's an inch shorter and a few kilo's heavier than Barkley.

For me overall there's little between Barkley, Pogba, and Koke in terms of the one we should sign. They're slightly different players in slightly different stages of their development, but for me the fact Barkley is English makes it a no brainer that we sign him.

I do like Barkley and I think if he stays injury free he'll be a very good player, but unless he starts matching Lampard's goal contribution I don't see any one point of strength that will stand him out and mark him as world class and I don't think we should be entertaining the idea of signing him at the prices quoted.

Gundogan has his speed of thought and the technique to pull it off, he's also freakishly strong and lightening fast over 3-4 yards.

Koke is supremly tactically aware and his decision making is superb, he's also rock solid defensively and has an engine to match anybody, superb dead ball deliveries too.

Pogba is quick over all distances, freakishly strong, always has a trick and a screamer of a shot up his sleeve and a great engine.

Barkley seems just okay in far too many areas, his shooting doesn't stand out (scores the odd screamer but doesn't get enough on target), an okay passer with short to medium range (nowhere near as good as any of the above three) and doesn't physically stand out.

As for the comments about physical development he's probably got his full height already and his build is proportional, He just doesn't look like he's going to fill out much, some people don't. He could spend time in the weights room and get a bit stronger but that's it.

Also disagree about Toure, his technique was all there quite young but Barca taught him to be more disciplined.

 

[Ray78]

I watched highlights from yesterday's game, and seriously... anyone not in favor of attaining him must be out of their mind.
Yesterday he played in the position we would play him, central midfield, and he was the best player on the pitch! He's got the passing range, work ethics, pace, shot, physique... pretty much everything. And he's only 21 years old!!

I really hope we are working on getting him to our club. A future city icon, much like Zabaleta hopefully.

Anyone willing to pay Everton £60m is also out of their mind. Yaya cost us £24m and Bayern signed Ballack (the player who Barkley is being compared to) for £10m. His passing range is his weak spot as well as being injury prone. And for a £60m rated player he didn't have much influence in the World Cup.

 

[Matt the Giant]

I watched highlights from yesterday's game, and seriously... anyone not in favor of attaining him must be out of their mind.
Yesterday he played in the position we would play him, central midfield, and he was the best player on the pitch! He's got the passing range, work ethics, pace, shot, physique... pretty much everything. And he's only 21 years old!!

I really hope we are working on getting him to our club. A future city icon, much like Zabaleta hopefully.

Anyone willing to pay Everton £60m is also out of their mind. Yaya cost us £24m and Bayern signed Ballack (the player who Barkley is being compared to) for £10m. His passing range is his weak spot as well as being injury prone. And for a £60m rated player he didn't have much influence in the World Cup.

Where does the £60m figure come from? I didn't know he had official price tag on him. I agree though, if that indeed is the price for him, it's a bit too much.

 

[g180aj]

I watched highlights from yesterday's game, and seriously... anyone not in favor of attaining him must be out of their mind.
Yesterday he played in the position we would play him, central midfield, and he was the best player on the pitch! He's got the passing range, work ethics, pace, shot, physique... pretty much everything. And he's only 21 years old!!

I really hope we are working on getting him to our club. A future city icon, much like Zabaleta hopefully.

Anyone willing to pay Everton £60m is also out of their mind. Yaya cost us £24m and Bayern signed Ballack (the player who Barkley is being compared to) for £10m. His passing range is his weak spot as well as being injury prone. And for a £60m rated player he didn't have much influence in the World Cup.

How many times does it need to be said £60mill was just paper talk nothing more than made up bolox

 

[Ray78]

I watched highlights from yesterday's game, and seriously... anyone not in favor of attaining him must be out of their mind.
Yesterday he played in the position we would play him, central midfield, and he was the best player on the pitch! He's got the passing range, work ethics, pace, shot, physique... pretty much everything. And he's only 21 years old!!

I really hope we are working on getting him to our club. A future city icon, much like Zabaleta hopefully.

Anyone willing to pay Everton £60m is also out of their mind. Yaya cost us £24m and Bayern signed Ballack (the player who Barkley is being compared to) for £10m. His passing range is his weak spot as well as being injury prone. And for a £60m rated player he didn't have much influence in the World Cup.

How many times does it need to be said £60mill was just paper talk nothing more than made up bolox

It is more than made up bollocks. Barkley has signed a new 4 year contract in the summer, and if the likes of Lallana and Shaw went for £25m and £30m respectively it doesn't stop Everton putting a ridiculous price tag on the player either.

 

[g180aj]

Anyone willing to pay Everton £60m is also out of their mind. Yaya cost us £24m and Bayern signed Ballack (the player who Barkley is being compared to) for £10m. His passing range is his weak spot as well as being injury prone. And for a £60m rated player he didn't have much influence in the World Cup.

How many times does it need to be said £60mill was just paper talk nothing more than made up bolox

It is more than made up bollocks. Barkley has signed a new 4 year contract in the summer, and if the likes of Lallana and Shaw went for £25m and £30m respectively it doesn't stop Everton putting a ridiculous price tag on the player either.

Roberto Martinez has told the press they value him at £40mill