Scout Report: Ross Barkley

Out with the old, in with the new, the King is dead, long live the King.

There’s no end of sayings that will cover the end of Charlie Adam’s time at Blackpool but the new season is approaching fast and with the hectic pace of 46 league games and the cups to boot a decent squad will be required and loan players will play a big part in keeping the squad fresh whilst offering variety and options to Holloway.

We used to go cap in hand to the Premiership teams and look for them to give us some young blood, having had a close up look at us last season hopefully a few may offer some players and one of those players who may be available is Ross Barkley.

Once described by the Ollie as ‘going forward on a Honda Gold wing but coming back on a Vespa’, Charlie will be remembered as a box to box player.

Ross Barkley is an Everton youngster who is quickly establishing himself as a similar type of player.

Only 17, he was included on the bench of Everton’s first team last season (aged 16) before a triple leg break whilst on duty with England’s U19s cut short his season.

He’s represented England at U16, U17 and now the U19 level. He certainly knows where the net is, scoring goals (almost 1 in 2) along the way.

He’s regarded as a tough tackling robust midfielder but someone who also has a good temperament, and who goes box to box. At 6’2′ tall, he’s already an imposing figure.

Rated as an excellent header of the ball, the benefits of youth mean that whilst going forward at speed he’ll be able to come back at a pace too. His ability to pass means he’s seen as a CM playmaker.

Everton must rate him, as he signed a professional contract last December, but the last youngster loaned to us from the Blues for development worked out well for both clubs.

Charlie is irreplaceable but out of the ashes came the phoenix. Ross Barkley is an up and coming player who looks capable of learning to fly in tangerine.