Ross Barkley has shone for Aston Villa when he has featured this season, but Sam Inkersole has provided a worrying update for those at Villa Park who want to keep the midfielder on a permanent basis.
The latest on Barkley
Journalist Sam Inkersole was asked about the possible permanent transfer by Birmingham Live and said: “Tuchel seems to want to give all of the players a chance and to bring them in from the cold – just look at Marcos Alonso and Cesar Azpilicueta – so you can’t say for certain that a permanent signing for Barkley for Villa would be a go-er. That could change between now and the summer, of course, but it depends how the rest of the season goes.”
Potentially huge blow
Despite Villa already boasting an elite creative asset in Jack Grealish, they will definitely lose a huge threat if Barkley goes back to Chelsea in the summer – he has managed 2.5 shots, two key passes and 1.2 successful dribbles per game (WhoScored). He has also scored three goals and one assist.
Dean Smith heaped praised on the Englishman earlier this season, saying: “He was obviously a marquee signing for us on loan. He’s been around a club that are perennial winners. He wanted game time and to get into the Euro squad.
“His performances at the moment will certainly be nudging Gareth showing he’s hungry and looking the business at the moment. I thought he played extremely well.”
The former Everton youngster emphasised his quality as he scored the crucial goal against Southampton last weekend, once again proving what a massive blow it would be to lose him. If Inkersole is correct and new Chelsea boss Tuchel does tend to bring players like Barkley in from the cold and offer them a chance at Stamford Bridge, it would be a major hit to the attacking quality at Smith’s disposal.
In other news: Aston Villa fans flocked to this update by Gregg Evans, find out more here.
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