Still no place for Barkley in England squad

Barkley didn't have a good weekend so no surprise.

So, in his and our interests, I hope the manager and those he trusts at Finch Farm (or a hypnotist) are able to get him to release the abilities and performances that excited one and all, me very much included, when he first came to our attention.

For the record though, last season and this, he's scored one in every four games, which is bafflingly way better than his earlier career when he was so much more exciting.

His one and only "worldie", against Man City (had he run through any other team than the woeful Skunks for his only other worldie contender, I'd allow him that one too) was a very long time ago.

His average is a goal every six games, appreciably worse than Tim Cahill. Assist stats are to say the least questionable but we all know he gives zilch when the opponents have the ball, totally unlike Cahill.

If my criticism seems harsh, I'm sorry... but anyone but him, a local lad/one of us, would never have been given the licence he's had.

Of course if he played for Chelsea third intersex team, he would be a permanent fixture of the England first XI.

As for a transfer fee, it wouldn't be much. Who in the Premier League would honesty buy him? Sunderland, Stoke, West Brom, Bournemouth? If anyone says Chelsea, Man City or Man Utd, I'll laugh.

Put any of these players in a crap team and they will go hiding. Put them in a good, free-flowing team and they excel.

Jags is in appalling form, yet makes the England squad. He shouldn't even be in our first team at present. Ross may not be setting the world alight, but Wilshere? He's only started a couple of games for Bournemouth and gets picked for England?

The is hole national team set up is a joke, pretty much like the England team itself. I wouldn't be surprised to see the passion of the Scots carry them to a victory probably sealed by a goal from Stevey Naismith.

Barkley isn't playing well for us apart from a good performance against West Ham. Must have been close though with Alli out.

Barkley should not be in an Everton shirt at the moment, yet again... along with more than a few others.

'Taking three touches, when one or two is suffice; dallying in possession when a simpler pass is available.'

Barkley every game this.

Another part of the article:

'He was accused of reporting for the pre-Euro 2016 training camp 5kg heavier than usual; former England captain Terry Butcher branding Barkley 'overweight, lethargic and apprehensive' ahead of the tournament.'

Not great is it?
'

On the other hand, Jags is not in one of the Sky 6 teams and is playing some crap.

So, which is it?

As for Wilshere, I would be interested in him at Everton when fit and his head is sorted. Very talented when right and still very young with lots of potential.

There's a lad across the park who has developed a bundle in the last couple of seasons and demonstrates how a No 10 should affect the game in terms of general play, creating chances and goal threat. Ross is nowhere near.

Just to add to that, I don't think Ross should be in the Everton side, let alone the England team. We aren't in a position where we can play someone who'll have a good game every 5 or 6 matches.

Ozil – one of the finest playmakers of the modern era – with Barkley, who is less a playmaker than Leon Osman was.

Barkley, as I've said multiple times on here, and as many of us claim, is massively overrated. He is a Match of the Day footballer, applauded by those desperate to fetishise English talent, and by those who watch his goals but not his all-round play. He is not intelligent – he takes an age to play the right pass. He dillies and dallies...

In contrast, a player like Ozil, who Barkley will never get near, knows what he will do before he gets the ball. He plays it immediately. He will hold onto it when he needs to. He will orchestrate an entire team, like a great deep-lying playmaker at points, or will be involved in the thick of the action, laying on the pass for the goalscorer.

Barkley cannot do that. He does not have the ability, vision or intelligence. He is a second striker, a perennial square peg in a round hole. He does some good things and is positive when his confidence is high, but he will not become a great player. He does not have it in him, especially in the face of the rapidly evolving game. He is nothing on Liverpool's Coutinho, Man City's De Bryunne or Arsenal's Ozil.

Unfortunately, I think Barkley will hold us back like some others in the side. It is not that he is a bad player, but he is not the creative force we need. We need a Mata – we need someone to control the tempo, and to orchestrate our side. Like many English players, Barkley is lacking in that form of intelligence. That is why we so often stumble at major tournaments – it is a lack of intelligence, and an inability to adapt tactically.

Wilshere, much maligned, is comparable to Barkley in certain ways as esan example of apparent unfulfilled potential. He doesn't have his goals, but he is a wonderful creative player at this best. He signaled his brilliance by dominating the awe-inspiring Barca midfield, but injuries and off the field issues have killed his potential. Yet, if I was to bet on one of Wilshere and Barkley making it as a top class player, it would be Wilshere. He can control the tempo, he plays the pass when he needs to, and he can drive teams on, in a way that Barkley has failed to do.

I expect Barkley will occupy a place on lists of players who have unfulfilled potential in the future. He will have a decent career and will score an acceptable amount of goals, because he is a good striker of the ball and can play with both feet. But, when people lament the player he could have been in the future, they will be mistaking what he was. He was never going to be a world class player, he was merely another overrated talent, celebrated by people whose understanding of football over-emphasises the English game.

Still, I expect him to be a valuable squad player who will score a worldly every couple of months. We just need to stop thinking of him as the next big thing.

Not Jagielka's fault at all. I feel sorry him. Must be shit when you're legs have truly gone but he needs to say enough is enough. It will get embarrassing for him. At the moment, he can afford a few games here and there but, if Koeman cannot see it, well... to be fair, Williams is not far behind.

My only disagreement is that I don't think he'll be a good squad player for us if we get up/near to where we want to be. He'll be worth very little on the market too.

I'm sure Koeman has his card marked & will replace him with a decent creative player if/when he gets the chance.

The role he's supposed to fulfil is crucial and his failure makes it very difficult for Rom, Mirallas & Bolasie (to a lesser extent) - as Paul @ 31 says they'd all get several more goals with decent supply.

Slightly off topic, Deulofeu is no better than Ross – both lazy, faint-hearted & ineffective. GD will never get near Barca's 1st team.