2017/18 Ross Barkley

[Thomasc]

Pre-season has confirmed for me that despite his flaws we need him. I'm not holding my breath, but personally I would love for this to get repaired and have him sign a new contract and stay. I think Rooney would be great for the lad as well. Ross really hasn't had that older brother figure since he's been at the club, but if there's anyone who knows what it's like to be Ross, it's Wayne.

It's not my money, but I'd also prefer to keep him this season and risk losing him on a free than selling on the cheap. In this new era what's 25 million?

Not holding my breath though like.

This is the bit I struggle with.

Some on here go on like no other footballer on the planet could do what Ross barkley can do.

We could replace his input in a heartbeat, so before you say "name somebody then"....that is the managements job to find somebody, Klaassen and Gylfi could potentially be two that spring to mind, though I am sure neither would suit Barkley fans, it is all about agendas.

 

[Barnfred 55]

As someone said earlier
He is a finger pointing son of a sex pest

A deceased innocent sex pest.

 

[Tubey]

Pre-season has confirmed for me that despite his flaws we need him. I'm not holding my breath, but personally I would love for this to get repaired and have him sign a new contract and stay. I think Rooney would be great for the lad as well. Ross really hasn't had that older brother figure since he's been at the club, but if there's anyone who knows what it's like to be Ross, it's Wayne.

It's not my money, but I'd also prefer to keep him this season and risk losing him on a free than selling on the cheap. In this new era what's 25 million?

Not holding my breath though like.

If he did play in that scenario, which would be very unlikely, he'd be booed into the ground and completely distract from the positive 'project' we're trying to build.

Not a chance in other words. You're right in that the money is almost incidental (or should be really); but the situation would be excruciating.

That's why clubs will be prepared to wait and save money. They know we won't keep him.

 

[Osamabindiesel]

Playing mind games in an attempt to make Swansea begin to sweat with only 3 weeks left of the window.

' Ross is back in training, has participated in the last 2 sessions. He will play this season '

Swansea can't complete any of their top transfer targets without Sigurdsson being booted on. They also now have a player in Glyfi that wants to go elsewhere, has refused to play and hasn't played any minutes since Barnet back in June.

With Koeman stating the above and the possibility that Barkley stays and plays, Sigurdsson wouldn't be necessary for us.

Also a possibility

 

[Lanolin]

One englands "hottest" prospect tells the club he wants new challenges at the end of May and not one club makes an enquiry?? Why?? To save £5m?

It's not how transfers work anymore mate.

Do you think we've done all this groundwork with Sigurdsson and then we'll get him in a room at Finch Farm and find out we can't agree terms? No chance, it's all been done ages ago. Same with Ross, just as it was with Lukaku. Loads of meffs on here going 'he'll come back with his tail between his legs when he realises no CL team will want him' when actually he's laughing his head off knowing there's already an agreement in place.

 

[Tubey]

This is the bit I struggle with.

Some on here go on like no other footballer on the planet could do what Ross barkley can do.

We could replace his input in a heartbeat, so before you say "name somebody then"....that is the managements job to find somebody, Klaassen and Gylfi could potentially be two that spring to mind, though I am sure neither would suit Barkley fans, it is all about agendas.

We can't. You are specifically saying his "input" there - look at his stats and the role he plays in the team, and we can't replace that like for like reliably this window. Sigurdsson, at close to £50m, does half of what Barkley does, but does double what he does in other areas - it isn't like for like.

You can't get a player who does what Barkley has proven he can do, even if fans don't or won't recognise it, in the Premier League. Any replacement attempting to be like-for-like would be a risk from abroad at best.

 

[Simon baker]

I personally thought he had already been tapped up and a deal had probably been arranged already. But if we are to believe Koeman then there has been no interest from any club thus far.

In answer to your question, I do not know and neither do any of us on this forum I expect.

I would not be 100% surprised if that was the case or wasn't.

I'd agree think he has been tapped up & we are going to be hung out to dry on the fee unfortunately.

 

[Thomasc]

We can't. You are specifically saying his "input" there - look at his stats and the role he plays in the team, and we can't replace that like for like reliably this window. Sigurdsson, at close to £50m, does half of what Barkley does, but does double what he does in other areas - it isn't like for like.

You can't get a player who does what Barkley has proven he can do, even if fans don't or won't recognise it, in the Premier League. Any replacement attempting to be like-for-like would be a risk from abroad at best.

You and I have debated this already mate, you rate him a lot higher than I do. You believe his link up play etc is exceptional and he moves the ball very quickly, I get all that.

Koeman has already stated he will change the way the team operate this season, so I guess what he actually brought to the side last season in the run of games between January and April which everybody seems to be so hung up on, may not even be needed this year, dependent on the way the manager shapes the side.

You are basically saying Ross is irreplaceable, I struggle with that notion.

 

[Barnfred 55]

This is the bit I struggle with.

Some on here go on like no other footballer on the planet could do what Ross barkley can do.

We could replace his input in a heartbeat, so before you say "name somebody then"....that is the managements job to find somebody, Klaassen and Gylfi could potentially be two that spring to mind, though I am sure neither would suit Barkley fans, it is all about agendas.

What?. You struggle with people who disagree with your point of view?

Gylfi or Klaassen will not replace what Barkley brings. They are both completely different players. Ideally we would have them in addition to bring a more rounded squad with a very good blend of skill set.

We still need somebody who can do what Barkley does, if not him then somebody else. If you don't think so that's fine; I certainly wouldn't struggle with somebody having a different viewpoint. But replacing him won't be done in a heartbeat I can guarantee that.

 

[Tubey]

You and I have debated this already mate, you rate him a lot higher than I do. You believe his link up play etc is exceptional and he moves the ball very quickly, I get all that.

Koeman has already stated he will change the way the team operate this season, so I guess what he actually brought to the side last season in the run of games between January and April which everybody seems to be so hung up on, may not even be needed this year, dependent on the way the manager shapes the side.

You are basically saying Ross is irreplaceable, I struggle with that notion.

No actually, I agree with your second paragraph. If we change the way we play, then you "replace" Barkley by not playing the same way and having someone with Sigurdsson's game in that role instead.

That's similar to replacing Lukaku. You can't replace his goals, as he's almost a one of a kind goalscorer, but you can certainly replace him with a different, better footballer.

So that's fine - I have no issue with that. But what you specifically said was that we can replace Barkley's input - his specific role - in a heartbeat. I am saying that is next to impossible, because only a handful of players can do what he does and they cost north of £70m now.

Hell, we haven't even tried to since this whole thing started. Not one link with a Barkley-typed technical link player. We immediately discounted it and we've gone for Sigurdsson instead.

So yes, your second paragraph, spot on. But I will say this - while I think building a team without Lukaku will benefit us in the long run, I think building a team involving Sigurdsson instead of Barkley will not. Because one style of player has a higher potential ceiling than the other.

 

[anton66]

So in the final two weeks of the window, are we going to see the flurry of bids from the top 6 do you reckon?

Only if they start the season poorly, then it's only a maybe.

 

[Barnfred 55]

If he did play in that scenario, which would be very unlikely, he'd be booed into the ground and completely distract from the positive 'project' we're trying to build.

Not a chance in other words. You're right in that the money is almost incidental (or should be really); but the situation would be excruciating.

That's why clubs will be prepared to wait and save money. They know we won't keep him.

All he's done is not signed a new contract mate. I wouldn't automatically assume the anti Barkley reaction already. Rom has said and done a lot worse over the last 3 years but still been respected on match days.

Provided he puts in a shift when he pulls in the blue shirt, which in fairness we saw a lot more of after Christmas last season, I donlt think the crowd will boo him. There'll still be the moans and groans he gets from certain fans (even when playing well) but I can't envisage wholesale booing unless he goes out on the pitch with the completely wrong attitude a la Lescott, and I'm pretty sure Ronnie wouldn't select him if he was showing that in training.

 

[kenada_blue]

[

It's not how transfers work anymore mate.

Do you think we've done all this groundwork with Sigurdsson and then we'll get him in a room at Finch Farm and find out we can't agree terms? No chance, it's all been done ages ago. Same with Ross, just as it was with Lukaku. Loads of meffs on here going 'he'll come back with his tail between his legs when he realises no CL team will want him' when actually he's laughing his head off knowing there's already an agreement in place.

Big time.

I'm pretty sure the Spurs deal is all in the bag but due to are own manager openly saying he's not playing Everton, and our own board slapping £50mill on him, they'll wait until the window near and lower the price.

Simples.

 

[Mickey]

Chairmen of premier league clubs when informed of Barkleys wage expectations:

 

[Thomasc]

What?. You struggle with people who disagree with your point of view?

Gylfi or Klaassen will not replace what Barkley brings. They are both completely different players. Ideally we would have them in addition to bring a more rounded squad with a very good blend of skill set.

We still need somebody who can do what Barkley does, if not him then somebody else. If you don't think so that's fine; I certainly wouldn't struggle with somebody having a different viewpoint. But replacing him won't be done in a heartbeat I can guarantee that.

No mate, not that people disagree with my POV, why go down that route?

I disagree with that notion as I actually wrote.