Ross Barkley "the Scouse Paul Gascoigne"

[carefreeluke]

A thread to analyse the performances of Chelsea's and England's Ross Barkley. 

England vs Bulgaria

Ross started the game at Wembley and for me struggled to fully impress, this comes after some decent performances in previous England games. I wouldn't say he was bad but perhaps struggled to stamp his full authority on the game, this was a little disappointing given the amount of possession England had and the level of opposition. He did, however, take up some decent positions and was a good focal point for some of England's passing patterns but overall perhaps he could have done a little more.

Tune in next week for another Ross Barkley analysis and feel free to participate. Let's see if we find ourselves repeating the same throughout the season.

[Dr. Gonzo]

This is an insult to Gazza. And to Scouse players since Gazza that have played for England that aren’t shit like Barkley.

[Danny]

Our midfield was crying out for someone to attack tight spaces centrally either through dribbling or passing...thought Barkley was disappointing there

[RandoEFC+]

Barkley's greatest achievement is somehow convincing people year in, year out that aged 25 he's still some sort of "one to watch" because whenever he has 2 good games all the media swoon and start touting him to finally find some consistency.

He's not growing a footballing brain at this age. He's got a lot of technical talent but he will never learn how to get the best out of it which will leave him eternally showing signs of promise without finding consistency.

[Dan+]

4 hours ago, RandoEFC said:

Barkley's greatest achievement is somehow convincing people year in, year out that aged 25 he's still some sort of "one to watch" because whenever he has 2 good games all the media swoon and start touting him to finally find some consistency.

He's not growing a footballing brain at this age. He's got a lot of technical talent but he will never learn how to get the best out of it which will leave him eternally showing signs of promise without finding consistency.

It's like Wilshere. Obviously I carry no weight in this but if it's up to me I'm not exactly looking to Barkley now. He should drop to a Watford or someone next summer.

[Danny]

8 minutes ago, Dan said:

It's like Wilshere. Obviously I carry no weight in this but if it's up to me I'm not exactly looking to Barkley now. He should drop to a Watford or someone next summer.

At least Wilshere’s career was torn apart by injury...on the pitch he was handy regardless of being a hothead

[RandoEFC+]

28 minutes ago, Dan said:

It's like Wilshere. Obviously I carry no weight in this but if it's up to me I'm not exactly looking to Barkley now. He should drop to a Watford or someone next summer.

I was actually about to compare him to Wilshere but I stopped short because, while the groundhog day cycle of "maybe this time" continuing to exist is very similar, the reasons for them never delivering are very different as @Danny says.

Problem with Barkley is he was about this good when he was 19-20, and it was justified to say he had massive potential. He hasn't progressed nearly enough and in that time Dele Alli has gone from unheard of to twice the player Ross is and taken the place that Barkley was supposed to make his own in the England team. Winks, Maddison and Mount are all well on their way to being out of sight of him ability-wise.

Everton was a place he could get away with it a bit as he was the local boy but now he wouldn't even get a game for us. Sigurdsson last season got twice as many goals and assists as Barkley ever did in a season for us.

He will serve a role at Chelsea as good enough to see off the likes of Southampton and Brighton and weaker European opposition without too much trouble but in terms of raising his level and "fulfilling his potential", it's not going to happen. I thought the change of scenery at Chelsea had a chance of galvanising him and making it happen but all I've seen from him there is the same old Ross with good technique, inconsistent decision making and hiding from the ball when things aren't going his way.

[Dan+]

I agree that the Wilshere comparson is probably hard on Wilshere but I think it's just because I can envisage the articles and debates about "what next for Barkley" like we get with Wilshere a lot and it's become such a tedious debate - the answer is nothing until they've proven they can step it up a level.

Barkley I just don't think is that good. He's capable of the sublime but nowhere near often enough. His all-round game isn't that great and you always get found out when that's the case. The only thing stopping him dropping to Brighton or Burnley this summer gone was Chelsea's transfer ban.

He's not a terrible player but he's not that great either. I don't think there's loads more to it than that. The Chelsea move I always found odd. He wasn't going to be good enough.

[CaaC (John)+]

Jesus, how could you ever compare him to Gazza, Gazza in his prime was 10 times better, the Booze got to Gazza in the end but in his day playing for Spurs, Lazio and a few more and England too gives him 10 times a better rating to me than Ross Barkley.

Gazza 

Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1985–1988	Newcastle United	92	(21)
1988–1992	Tottenham Hotspur	92	(19)
1992–1995	Lazio	43	(6)
1995–1998	Rangers	74	(30)
1998–2000	Middlesbrough	41	(4)
2000–2002	Everton	32	(1)
2002	Burnley	6	(0)
2003	Gansu Tianma	4	(2)
2004	Boston United	4	(0)
Total		388	(83)
National team
1987–1988	England U21	12	(5)
1989	England B	4	(1)
1988–1998	England

Barkley

Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2010–2018	Everton	150	(21)
2012	→ Sheffield Wednesday (loan)	13	(4)
2013	→ Leeds United (loan)	4	(0)
2018–	Chelsea	32	(3)
National team‡
2008–2009	England U16	7	(2)
2009–2010	England U17	7	(2)
2010–2012	England U19	12	(0)
2013	England U20	3	(0)
2011–2013	England U21	5	(1)
2013–	England

 

[Stan]

15 hours ago, RandoEFC said:

Barkley's greatest achievement is somehow convincing people year in, year out that aged 25 he's still some sort of "one to watch" because whenever he has 2 good games all the media swoon and start touting him to finally find some consistency.

He's not growing a footballing brain at this age. He's got a lot of technical talent but he will never learn how to get the best out of it which will leave him eternally showing signs of promise without finding consistency.

 

11 hours ago, Dan said:

It's like Wilshere. Obviously I carry no weight in this but if it's up to me I'm not exactly looking to Barkley now. He should drop to a Watford or someone next summer.

And Lingard. 

[Stan]

I don't think @carefreeluke actually is! It's what the papers used to say a few years back when he was playing well for Everton. 

 

[carlmeyer]

10 hours ago, CaaC (John) said:

Jesus, how could you ever compare him to Gazza, Gazza in his prime was 10 times better, the Booze got to Gazza in the end but in his day playing for Spurs, Lazio and a few more and England too gives him 10 times a better rating to me than Ross Barkley.

Gazza 

Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1985–1988	Newcastle United	92	(21)
1988–1992	Tottenham Hotspur	92	(19)
1992–1995	Lazio	43	(6)
1995–1998	Rangers	74	(30)
1998–2000	Middlesbrough	41	(4)
2000–2002	Everton	32	(1)
2002	Burnley	6	(0)
2003	Gansu Tianma	4	(2)
2004	Boston United	4	(0)
Total		388	(83)
National team
1987–1988	England U21	12	(5)
1989	England B	4	(1)
1988–1998	England

Barkley

Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2010–2018	Everton	150	(21)
2012	→ Sheffield Wednesday (loan)	13	(4)
2013	→ Leeds United (loan)	4	(0)
2018–	Chelsea	32	(3)
National team‡
2008–2009	England U16	7	(2)
2009–2010	England U17	7	(2)
2010–2012	England U19	12	(0)
2013	England U20	3	(0)
2011–2013	England U21	5	(1)
2013–	England

 

I agree that people shouldn't compare the two, it is a bit of a kick in the tooth for Gazza. However, Barkley is only 25 and I presume he hasn't hit his prime season yet. I'm not a lover of Barkley but still think he's got more in the locker to give, so I hope for England's sake he performs well!

[CaaC (John)+]

30 minutes ago, carlmeyer said:

I agree that people shouldn't compare the two, it is a bit of a kick in the tooth for Gazza. However, Barkley is only 25 and I presume he hasn't hit his prime season yet. I'm not a lover of Barkley but still think he's got more in the locker to give, so I hope for England's sake he performs well!

Welcome aboard TF365 Forums @carlmeyer nice to have another United guy in here, keep posting.  

[carefreeluke]

I wasn't being serious with the title by the way and I've never really rated Barkley by the way either. 

Bit of tongue and cheek.

Was going to do a topic for Azpilicueta as well. 

[Dan+]

I'm guilty as charged with Lingard. Rated him going into the World Cup - he was genuinely in very good form but ever since it he's been absolutely dog.

[Spike]

14 hours ago, carefreeluke said:

I wasn't being serious with the title by the way and I've never really rated Barkley by the way either. 

Bit of tongue and cheek.

Was going to do a topic for Azpilicueta as well. 

I am convinced that if Azpilicueta’s paying time is reduced, he will improve. Barkley...not so much.

[True Blue]

Had a brilliant pre season, but is super poor so far this season. His consistency is never there, he is either superb or dog shit. With Ruben returning i doubt he can hold a starting spot. Think he will be okay for a squad player this season, as we need depth during a long season.

[The Liquidator]

On 09/09/2019 at 11:52, carefreeluke said:

I wasn't being serious with the title by the way and I've never really rated Barkley by the way either. 

Bit of tongue and cheek.

You should know, put out Carrots, you will attract Donkeys

[Danny]

On 09/09/2019 at 11:52, carefreeluke said:

I wasn't being serious with the title by the way and I've never really rated Barkley by the way either. 

Bit of tongue and cheek.

Was going to do a topic for Azpilicueta as well. 

Take it from me people do not understand tongue in cheek topic titles on here, see “As shit as the French League” topic 

[Cicero]

Ruben and Mount will limit his playing time. 

[Smiley Culture]

Thought he was very average for England the other day. 

[carefreeluke]

1 hour ago, Smiley Culture said:

Thought he was very average for England the other day. 

England vs Kosovo

Thank you and goodnight.

[carefreeluke]

I have had several PM's asking about the lack of updates from Ross' recent games. Sorry for the delay.

Chelsea vs Grimbsy

Chelsea vs Brighton

Bluewolf wrote a nice little summary regarding Ross yesterday and for me, it sums up nicely his downside at the moment.  This has perhaps always been a problem for Ross but it has been even more evident in the last two games.

19 hours ago, Bluewolf said:

That was very noticeable on Wednesday as well with him... In an otherwise excellent team performance he dawdles on the ball too much and it does not fit well with the quicker movement of other players when we push forward and he feels the need to have an extra touch or take on one more player and then loses the ball... 

 

[carefreeluke]

Ross' ratings so far:

England vs Bulgaria: 6/10

England vs Kosovo 6/10

Chelsea vs Grimbsy 6/10

Chelsea vs Brighton 6/10

If you were feeling cynical you could perhaps say this sums up his career.

[RandoEFC+]

4 minutes ago, carefreeluke said:

Ross' ratings so far:

England vs Bulgaria: 6/10

England vs Kosovo 6/10

Chelsea vs Grimbsy 6/10

Chelsea vs Brighton 6/10

If you were feeling cynical you could perhaps say this sums up his career.

There will be an 8/10 at some point in the next 16 games to keep his 1 in 20 ratio stable. Then we can see it sums up his career.