On the latest episode of the TIFO Podcast, Joe Devine, Alex Stewart and Seb Stafford-Bloor have been discussing the latest topics in English football, with a focus on Aston Villa’s recent 7-2 win against Liverpool in the Premier League.
One specific topic of discussion on the recent podcast was the performance of Ross Barkley in Villa’s win against Jurgen Klopp’s side, with the Englishman having joined on loan from Chelsea during the summer transfer window. The former Everton man made his Villa debut in the win and produced an excellent performance, earning a superb 8.32 rating for his display (per Whoscored).
Here’s what Stafford-Bloor had to say about the 26-year-old during the podcast:
“[He’s] always someone who’s been in the wrong place at the wrong time. His move to Chelsea probably happened a couple of years too late, also happened after a very serious hamstring injury. What I like about Villa is that it’s the right home for him at the moment. He’s always needed to be somewhere where he can be aggressive because he is a vertical ball carrier. He wants the ball at his feet, he wants to be expressive with it.
“What I think will happen is I think we will see the shape that they used against Liverpool, that McGinn-Luiz-Barkley triangle in the middle of midfield, but then [Jack] Grealish playing from the left. What I like about this is, it takes some of the attention away from Jack Grealish, because Grealish is a creative player – lovely ball-carrier, yes, but he’s a wonderful playmaker too. If you add Barkley into that, you’ve got long-range shooting threat, dribbling ability, a good passer of the ball.
“All of a sudden, you’re giving any defender who plays against Villa another set of problems to deal with, because you can’t just sit and double Grealish.
“I know some people find Barkley a little bit underwhelming, and he can fluctuate with his form, at the same time, he’s still a really gifted player and someone that can hurt you. That’s what makes it smart. It worked for everyone, it worked for Chelsea, because Chelsea aren’t really interested in him anymore, they need him to play. Barkley wants to play for England, and the only way he can do that is if he’s involved every week.”
TIF Thoughts…
Stafford-Bloor certainly seems excited about what Barkley, who is valued at £19.35 million (as per Transfermarkt), may be able to add Villa, not just with his own individual ability, but also in the way he may free up Grealish to have more of an impact on games. That certainly proved to be the case against Liverpool, with the midfielder contributing an incredible three assists and two goals, which earned him a perfect 10/10 rating (per Whoscored).
Is Barkley going to be a big player for Villa this season?
Yes
No
Hopefully, the two can improve upon their partnership further and help continue Villa’s excellent start to the 2020/21 Premier League season.