BARKLESS ROSS || WHAT REALLY WENT WRONG?

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In the 2015/2016 season, a new star was born in the English football dynasty, bursting into the scene from the blue side of Merseyside. He was a free roaming attacking sensation with the physique, technique and drive that bellied his tender years. His name was Ross Barkley and he was the face of 'England's new generation'.

He was the new golden boy in town under Roberto Martinez, forming a deadly partnership with Romelu Lukaku that yielded 8 goals and 8 assists for him with Lukaku firing in 25, even though Everton finished a disappointing 11th on the table.

That was the defining season for Ross as his ambitious forward thinking play, speed and strong physique drew admiration from top clubs.

He was the new Paul Gascoigne, a generational talent, the most technically gifted English midfielder since Frank Lampard and Jack Wilshere. He was even compared to Michael Ballack by former coach Martinez.

When he eventually made the step up to join Chelsea in 2018, it was seen as the right step up to the big time that he needed to fulfill his potential. Playing with better players and under a serial winner like Antonio Conte was only going to aid his development. Ross was on the right trajectory to prominence.

But in between then and now, there's been fleeting success and only flashes of real quality. From the chopping and changing of managers at the bridge to the loan at Aston Villa that started well but petered away, to being sacked, how did Ross go from the next Paul Gascoigne and Michael Ballack to a free agent in 4 years?

CHANGE OF MANAGERS

In between those four years at Chelsea, Ross has had four different managers with their own different philosophies walk through the Cobham training ground. From being signed by Antonio Conte who's more of a counterattcking coach, to having Sarri less than a year later. The Italian's philosophy is more about intelligent possession game.

The Italian was then replaced by Frank Lampard, who's ideas weren't really clear. He too was relieved of his duties with Thomas Tuchel with his high pressing game taking over. These chopping and changing of coaches would definitely have its impact on the development of the player as he's bombarded with a lot of ideas within a really short period of time.

His best spell at the club came under Sarri in the 2018/2019 where he contributed 3 goals and 5 assists in 27 league games. Before he could consolidate on that, there was a new coach the following season and he only managed 1 goal and 4 assists in 21 league matches and that's how good it went for him.

TACTICAL INEPTITUDE

For all the good work that he can do with the ball, Ross's work off the ball leaves so much to be desired. The midfielder is lung bursting in his runs and has a powerful shot in his legs but his positioning off the ball and his ability to track players are poor.

Football itself has evolved and ones work on the ball is just as important as his work off it. Ross also has a nag for holding onto the ball for far too long in an era where coaches put premium importance on quick transitions and fast build up plays. This delays transitions and slows down the tempo of the team.

Sarri was quoted in 2018 as saying that Barkley was in trouble in the his first month at Stamford Bridge before he started improving in training which could be alluded to struggles tactically. There was also the rumours that Koeman also had reservations about the tactical side of Ross's game before he left for Chelsea.

OVERHYPE

This is the English media's forte. Their ability to sell their average products as world class talent to unsuspecting teams is unrivaled. Perhaps Barkley wasn't as good as he was made to look by the media who sang his praises weekly, highlighting few moments of quality while ignoring his over all game play.

This can get into a player's head and make him feel more important than he really is (take Rashford for example). Perhaps that was the reason he was caught partying shirtless in Dubai which attracted the ire of then manager Frank Lampard. This can also lead to overwhelming expectations from a player who just can't meet it as he's just simply not that good.

Perhaps if Ross Barkley was playing for the likes of Aston Villa, Fulham or Westham, he'd still be one of the best average players in the league and not a free agent. It's the same thing the media is now doing with Declan Rice.

Ross Barkley isn't a terrible player but just an average one. I hope he can find a team where his qualities will be best suited and appreciated and build back his career. At 28,he should be in his prime and not be running around with CV in hand. Best of luck to him!

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