Leeds United are reportedly among the few Premier League clubs interested in signing Chelsea outcast Ross Barkley in the January transfer window.
Ross Barkley, 27, has failed to cement his place in the Chelsea team ever since signing from Everton in January 2018. He was shipped out on loan to Aston Villa last season, where he made only 24 Premier League appearances; as a result, the Midlands club opted against making his move permanent.
According to 90min, Leeds United are keen to strike a deal with Chelsea for Ross Barkley but will need to fend off interest from Burnley and Newcastle United. The report adds the Blues will not stand in the English midfielder’s way in January having denied him a loan move in the summer, owing to the financial ramifications of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Leeds United have suffered somewhat from a second season syndrome in the Premier League and are reeling at just a place above the relegation zone with six points from eight games. Having scored only seven goals, they have the joint-fourth worst attack in the English top flight.
Ross Barkley to Leeds United – Should Marcelo Bielsa go for him in January?
As evident from seven goals scored in eight games to date, Leeds United have been lacklustre in the final third this season, often finding themselves bereft of ideas to break down the opposition.
With Patrick Bamford and Rodrigo not getting enough service up top, and the likes of Raphinha, Jack Harrison, Mateusz Klich and Daniel James struggling to live up to the expectations, the Whites are in dire need of some creative reinforcements.
Marcelo Bielsa must sort out his team’s problems when the transfer window reopens in January and bring in a playmaker to challenge the likes of Klich and Rodrigo for a spot in the starting XI. To put things into perspective, Ross Barkley looks like a smart option for the Whites during the mid-season trading period and the club completing a loan deal for the midfielder could help Bielsa solve his team’s creative woes.
Barkley has failed to live up to his true potential due to injury problems and a chronic lack of consistency after he was once coveted by some of England’s biggest clubs. The midfielder has played close to 230 Premier League appearances, and his rich experience combined with his incisive passing, smart movement and versatility could help Leeds United in the final third of the pitch.
On his day, the 33-cap England international is a fabulous footballer who can change games and make an impact. But when he’s off-colour, he tends to struggle massively and that is something Bielsa will be looking to work out with Barkley if a move does go through. Considering his style of play, he would be a good option for Bielsa as he can provide more drive from the midfield.
With fixtures set to come thick and fast in the coming months, Leeds should look to complete a loan deal for the Chelsea midfielder early in the January window.