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Rangers: Vickers reveals why club should avoid Barkley

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Image for Rangers: Vickers reveals why club should avoid Barkley

According to 90min journalist Craig Vickers, Rangers should look at bringing in some younger talent than go in for free agent Ross Barkley, who has lost his explosiveness in recent seasons. 

So far this summer, the Gers have been very busy after losing two of their key players from last season in Calvin Bassey and Joe Aribo, and have used the money to bring in seven players including Ben Davies and Tom Lawrence.

With just a couple of days left in the transfer window, they have now been linked with Barkley, who was recently let go by former club Chelsea and is available on a free. However, not everyone is keen on the possible deal.

90min journalist Vickers recently appeared on the Rangers Review channel and claimed the club should be looking at someone younger and more permanent, claiming Barkley has lost some of the abilities that made him such an attractive prospect in his Everton days.

Vickers said: “I think you would probably lean younger; I think obviously a lot of fans are sort of scarred by the [Aaron] Ramsey experience. I don’t think there are immediate parallels between Barkley and Ramsey.

“I think that one thing Barkley has lost – especially when you think back to his days at Everton – he has lost, as you say, a lot of that speed and explosiveness and that sort of athleticism that mapped him out, mostly because he has been dogged by injuries.

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“He hasn’t played an awful amount of football, especially last season for Chelsea.

“I think if you are Rangers, then you do want to maybe invest in someone more permanent.”

TIF Thoughts on Barkley to Rangers…

While this potential transfer would feel very similar to their signing of Aaron Ramsey last season, which turned out terribly as the Welsh international picked up just two goals and two assists in 13 appearances – as well as missing the crucial spot-kick in the Europa League final – Barkley is three years younger and has time to rejuvenate his career.

The former England international barely featured for Chelsea last season, only making 14 appearances across all competitions with one goal to his name. But he did manage to pick up five goals and assists in 27 appearances in 2020/21.

He is just 28 years old and should be in the prime of his career, and while he is a risk, he is a free agent. If Barkley seriously wants to get his career back off the ground, the SPFL could be the perfect place for him, and maybe playing under a former elite-level midfielder in Giovanni van Bronckhorst can bring his form back to life.

Should Rangers sign Barkley?

Yes

Yes

No

No

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