Ross Barkley joins Chelsea, er, Villa on loan

[MikeH72]

I think this is why people got so frustrated with him. People expected him to run whole games for us and he was very good in his last season but people still wanted more from him despite him being our most creative player by a distance.

I remember getting absolute pelters on here for suggesting he wasn't as good as Lampard and Gerrard at 22, although still a solid Premier League player. People simply built him up to be something he wasn't because they were so desperate for us to have "our own Gerrard".

 

[Baines' left foot]

I remember getting absolute pelters on here for suggesting he wasn't as good as Lampard and Gerrard at 22, although still a solid Premier League player. People simply built him up to be something he wasn't because they were so desperate for us to have "our own Gerrard".

He was basically ruined by people’s wild expectations of him. He could fit in this team nicely, playing in the middle or coming in from the left hand side. Such a shame he was hounded out for not being a wonder kid.

 

[dow1978]

He was basically ruined by people’s wild expectations of him. He could fit in this team nicely, playing in the middle or coming in from the left hand side. Such a shame he was hounded out for not being a wonder kid.

I think he hounded himself out by rattling a gangsters missus then bouncing round town like he owned the place.

On his day he is outstanding and if he scores that strike against Spurs on Saturday its a goal of the season contender. Shame is as with many young footballers, he has surrounded himself with idiots. And I don't mean by signing for Chelsea.

 

[kenada_blue]

I remember getting absolute pelters on here for suggesting he wasn't as good as Lampard and Gerrard at 22, although still a solid Premier League player. People simply built him up to be something he wasn't because they were so desperate for us to have "our own Gerrard".

To be fair, it's only until he went to Chelsea that he actually looked like a rounded footballer.

The fact Sarri had him as a possession player with Jorginho and Kante sitting behind the attack is something we as a club never would've done or indeed trusted him to play there.

 

[MikeH72]

To be fair, it's only until he went to Chelsea that he actually looked like a rounded footballer.

The fact Sarri had him as a possession player with Jorginho and Kante sitting behind the attack is something we as a club never would've done or indeed trusted him to play there.

He has never stood out for Chelsea, he’s just been a functional fringe player. Koeman’s first season was probably the best consistent run of performances he’s had.

 

[Barnfred 55]

I remember getting absolute pelters on here for suggesting he wasn't as good as Lampard and Gerrard at 22, although still a solid Premier League player. People simply built him up to be something he wasn't because they were so desperate for us to have "our own Gerrard".

He was as good as Gerrard at 20 and better than Lampard at the same age. Unlike the latter two, he never developed but they carried on improving well into their late twenties. To think we once believed he could become a similar standard is almost embarrassing now.

 

[Barnfred 55]

Hasn't kicked on as I would have expected but he's still far better than any midfielder we have bar Gomes.

That's fair enough, but he doesn't have much to go up against either. Hopefully Gbamin will also prove to be a better option.

 

[Archie Knox]

I see the little bellwhiff is back in their starting xi. Hope they get smashed tonight.

 

[d34noj]

He has never stood out for Chelsea, he’s just been a functional fringe player. Koeman’s first season was probably the best consistent run of performances he’s had.

He's their new Danny Drinkwater. Bought because he's English and was the right price.

 

[Azza]

Looks great so far this evening.


lol lol lol

 

[EFCPaul]

Trending on twitter because of his pooness. We do NOT miss him.

 

[arminisgod]

Taught a huge lesson tonight. Not many midfields will cope with kimmich and thiago to be fair.

 

[MikeH72]

Got bullied there really.

 

[4737carlin]

Tom Davies is better

 

[davek]

I watched Ross last night. I am a confirmed fan of Barkers, but he was just clueless, and I didn't think Lampard would be daft enough to let him start the second half. That said, playing him as one of an attacking three is just not using him properly.

I'd like to see him back here and replacing Siggurdson.