Roadhump
Time you enjoyed wasting was not wasted
- Location
- The flatlands of South West Lancs
I think Barkley will be a very good, possibly great player for Chelsea.
At Everton, he has shown flashes of brilliance at times, but has also frustrated many more times. The main problem he has had has been his dithering on the ball and poor decision making, which has often led to losing possession and/or a move breaking down. As a result, many fans questioned whether he would ever fulfil his potential, and now, due to those issues, many wonder why Chelsea have bought him, as the general quality of their players seems far superior than Ross's general level of performance.
There is also quite a lot of ill feeling towards him after his £35m move last summer broke down when he must have known his value would be reducing significantly due to his contract expiring in about 6 months, and lo and behold the move is resurrected and goes through at £20m cheaper in the very next window, so perhaps some of those doubters' views are tainted somewhat. I am just as cynical as other Evertonians, but as he was injured last summer, I would expect my club to play the same game if the roles were reversed.
Personally, I have always liked him as a player; and as a local lad and Toffee himself, the sentimental side of me was desperate for him to be a big part of Everton's future. Alas, that is not to be, but I think the move could be the making of him. He will be freed from the pressure of being a local lad feeling the frustration of fans when he isn't firing on all cylinders, and also playing in a better team with better players. Everton have suffered from a chronic lack of pace and movement in recent seasons and I feel much of his indecision on the ball is down to that limiting his options. I think he will benefit from Chelsea's slicker style, and from being a smaller fish in a bigger pond down there, I expect he will improve vastly.
Very disappointed to see him go, but I wish him well.
