A question mainly for Everton fans...
Just how good do you think Ross Barkley is and / or is going to be in the future? I wonder how many of you have seen him in the reserves or youth team to give a more informed view than most of us can make from his fantastic impact in his first few games this season. Obviously his age and the fact he suffered that triple leg fracture has limited appearances at any level!
He looks an enormous prospect for 17 from the very limited times I've seen him. He appears big, strong, fast, and a technically gifted player, perfectly suited to the powerful game in the premiership, just like Rooney did at the same age when he arrived on the scene.
I saw him described in the press today as a 'box-to-box goalscoring, powerful midfielder in the Bryan Robson mould'. Do you back up this assertion?
As a football fan in general I hope Evertonians get a chance to see him develop and thrive in their first team and he doesn't get taken away by a richer club before you at least get to benefit from him on the pitch and enjoy the excitement a player like him could bring. It must be a killer not seeing the transfer activity a club of your size deserves, but at least Moyes seems to be pulling off a minor miracle over there each season.
Obviously looking selfishly as a United fan you can't help hope he's a good as he seems and the club tries to take advantage of Everton's financial needs at the moment. A box-to-box english midfielder like Bryan Robson would certainly be a great thing, and if he's anywhere near as good as Rooney turned out then that is an exciting prospect, but I can certainly accept you'd be screaming hands off!
Either way let's hope he does end up as good as the early indications suggest and does well for England.
Ross Barkley - Should we believe the hype?
posted on 8/9/11
Is is just me, or is our youth team mainly populated with local talent? Is seems that some of the 'better funded' clubs seem to have a league of nations set-up for their youth policy. Kind of makes a mockery of the 'home grown' rules.
I hardly ever see a non scouse lad get the call up to the EFC 1st team squad.
posted on 8/9/11
Home grown is not UK grown.
I would prefer local lads, live local and less likely to want to move away/back home.
posted on 8/9/11
Thanks for the comments from the Everton fans. I appreciate it might have been a sensitive topic given the Rooney situation. Hopefully for England's sake those Bryan Robson comparisons are close to the mark, although gods knows how journos can say that so early.
If United don't steal him off you, then I hope he stays at Everton for a long time. You guys could do with a local hero given how many seem to develop well at your academy and the current fortunes of the club.
posted on 8/9/11
Bryan Robson comparisons are close to the mark, although gods knows how journos can say that so early.
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I dont think the Bryan Robson comparisons are fair, to be honest not many players could drink 19 pints and play like he did.
posted on 8/9/11
BTW Phil Jagielkas Sweatband, trust me Gibson is not under rated at OT, he's rated poorly because he's poor, and if you get him as part of any deal for Barkley then that would only rub salt into the wounds if Ross went the other way. Take straight cash or nothing IMO and avoid Gibson at all costs!
posted on 8/9/11
true about Robson altho Best managed more and didnt do too bad, well until he was about 25 anyway!
posted on 8/9/11
I remember the same being said about Fletcher, he is pretty much a key player now for United.
Giggs had the same treatment from United fans in the early/mid 2000's
posted on 8/9/11
Joe Cole was a starter for Chelsea 06-09
It was only after his injury did he fall out
posted on 8/9/11
Anyway, we won't be selling him to United. It's time we stopped letting fergie take all our best players all the time...........how many has he stolen so far
posted on 9/9/11
At 16 Milner was debuting and eventually scoring goals for Leeds in the Prem. Age decides nothing. If Milner progressed from his young form he would be the English Zizou. Instead he is a squad player on a very big club. There's a difference.