davek
Player Valuation: £150m
Disagree.
He is probably well aware that every other approach with Barkley has failed badly; be that outstanding praise after great performances, outstanding praise after awful performances, ad-hoc glowing comments suggesting he'll be one of the best England players in history (Martinez), being held back and sent out on loan to prove himself (Moyes) and now this season also being withdrew at half time after a horrific performance and kept out of the starting XI (Koeman).
Seeing as he's been no better than a bog-standard-middle-of-the-table midfielder for the past two seasons, it's clear something different needs to happen to give him the kick up the arse he needs. I definitely agree with Koeman putting it out there that he is no longer to be viewed as a youngster with potential and that it's time to up his game here and now.
I think Barkley is incredibly weak minded and probably no approach will turn him into the player Martinez tried to convince us he's possible of becoming. Can see him becoming more of the next Osman than the next Gazza.
Have to laugh at the notion Barkley is some basket case who's failing badly. All his stats in his career for a 23 year old stack up with the best in his position that's been in the PL; his tally of 8 goals and 8 assists last season was very very respectable...and he';d have done better if the downing of tools in the last 10 games or so hadn't happened.
The lad did ok starting the season in terms of form and scored in the opener against Spurs earning us a point.
He's an international with 22 caps and any 'big' financial elite team would have him in a heartbeat.
I'd suggest that the real problem here is that this manager doesn't fancy what he has to offer for his particular approach and he's intent on portraying him as a misfit at every opportunity so he can unproblematically shift him out next summer.