Why Ross Barkley would be a perfect addition to Spurs:

Key attributes:
– Dribbling
– Passing
– Vision
– Long shots
– Through balls

Rumours linking Everton midfielder Ross Barkley to our club (Spurs) have been going around for some time now, and with the toffees signing of Wayne Rooney over the weekend, those rumours linking Barkley with Spurs will surely be reignited. Whilst Spurs generally remain as the bookies favourites to be Barkley’s next club, Spurs are still yet to make a move for the 23 year old whose contract expires at the end of next season. The following is not an article on whether or not I think Barkley will come to Spurs, instead it’s on how I think he’d become a perfect addition to Pochettino’s squad. Barkley who joined Everton as an 11 year old, is an attacking midfielder who has been capped by England on 22 occasions. The youngster who has been a big part of Everton’s first team for many seasons, has put in some eye catching performances which quickly won him wide spread admiration from those with in the footballing community. A powerful and pacy attacking midfielder with silky skills, the Englishman has netted 21 goals in 150 appearances for his boyhood club, picking up many an assist in the process. Whilst in his younger years, considered as one of England’s hottest footballing prodigies, it’s fair to say that the Everton man hasn’t quite reached his full potential, whilst at times inconsistent, spectators are constantly reminded by his class, especially when it comes to his excellent dribbling ability.

A versatile midfielder Barkley would bring a whole new dimension to Spurs’ attack, suitable as an attacking midfielder, winger on both flanks, and as a central midfielder. Barkley is a different type of player to Alli or Eriksen for example, he’s more rounded then the two in regards to his style of play, I’d even go as far as drawing comparisons to star Spurs man Mousa Dembele. His technically a similar albeit further forward player than the Belgian, both very strong on the ball, Barkley also dribbles with the ball in a similar way to Dembele. A hugely gifted player yet to have his potential fully unlocked, there’s no better manager for him to flourish under than Pochettino, our manager has developed young English players such as Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Eric Dier into footballing superstars on the international stage. Whilst he would come to Spurs as an older player, the Everton man strikes me as a very Pochettino like player.

We haven’t currently got an attacking player like Barkley, who can just surge forward with a ball, Alli and Eriksen don’t posses that pace about their game. He has drawn comparisons with footballing greats such as Wayne Rooney and Paul Gascoigne, praised by Barcelona legend Xavi for his physical and technical ability. But the 23 year old Liverpudlian is still to prove himself consistently on the biggest stage. And question marks would fall on whether he is ready for a move to Pochettino’s champions league side.

Our squad is not huge nor is our depth, whilst Eriksen, Alli, Son and Lamela would all start ahead of Barkley were he to make the move to north London, the midfielders versatility makes him such a useful player to have. He could cover for Dembele in the midfield, as well as coming on as an impact sub on the wings, but he’s best position would be behind Kane where his creativity would blossom, and I’m sure his goal tally would greatly improve playing around such talented players. I don’t think we need to sign loads of players this summer but my opinion is this, Barkley would probably be a very pricey gamble, but Pochettino’s gambles on unknown players like Dier and Alli leave me more than confident that Pochettino can develop an already proven talent into a world class player. COYS