Gareth Barry has been the most consistent and influential Villa player for the past few seasons, so why sell him?
I'll tell you why. Yes it is true that he has established himself on the England team and has England's top teams expressing an interest, but he is easily replaced.
Gareth Barry does not score that many goals, and when he does they are often penalties or from set pieces. I am a big admirer of Gareth Barry, and he should be sold whilst he has a high profile and a good negotiation could be obtained.
Liverpool are the favourites to sign him, and Aston Villa have had Liverpool's young English goalkeeper Scott Carson on loan, who himself has gained England International Caps last season.
If a trade can be made for these players it would not be a poor transfer. I would be delighted if as part of the deal Villa could re-sign Peter Crouch and Villa would pull off a real transfer coup.
There has been further speculation with Norwegian left defender/midfielder John Arne Riise being part of that deal. If it is a straight swap for Riise and Barry plus some money, I do not believe that this would be a good value, as Villa would still need to find a Goalkeeper and then Barry's replacement.
There are many potential Gareth Barry replacements who could adequately do the same job that Barry has been doing for Villa for some time. The likes of Steven Sidwell of Chelsea, who did not feature much for the blues, is just one of many.
Villa's ambition has linked them to highly-rated Dutch international Rafael Van Der Vaart of Hamburg, and Italian international Riccardo Montolivio of Fiorentina.
One thing is for sure: Villa, who has the smallest squad in the EPL, have to recruit numbers.
The shortage of goalkeepers at the present time is evident with Carson having returned to Liverpool and Thomas Sorensen out of contract. If Carson is not signed by Villa, there needs to be at least two new goalkeepers brought to Villa Park.
Ongoing enquiries are being made with respect to American International Brad Guzan, who plays for Chivas America in the MLS, in respect to him obtaining a work permit. It is possible that Ben Foster could be signed on loan from Manchester United also.
If Villa did obtain Peter Crouch from Liverpool, it would create speculation as to John Carew's future as he would certainly be the player he replaced.
Forwards are not the area in which Villa particularly need to streghthen, but the defence is something crucial. Villa have been linked to Leicester youngsters Joe Mattock and Richard Stearman, who are highly regarded and would relish the opportunity of leaving relegated Leicester to join an EPL team.
Villa do not have a right back now that Olof Mellberg has joined Juventus and need to purchase one critically. Irish international Steve Carr has been released by Newcastle and I would be happy if Villa signed him for his experience. They would do better to sign a younger player for the future.
One thing is certain: it would not be a bad move to swap Barry for Carson or Crouch, and any other deal would be disappointing but not necessarily wrong.
Good luck to Gareth Barry if he decides to leave; he will always be a Villa legend.
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4 months ago
Excellent article. Made some really good points.
Its true he doesnt score much but its always hard to lose a captain. What sort of impact would it have on the team? Would Ashley Young and Agbonglahor follow suit in years to come? Follow the captains example? who knows. The three replacements you mentioned would be ideal actually. Montolivo is a great passer, and would slot in there beautifully. Sidwell could be got on the cheap, and Van Der Varrt would be a good goalscoring midfielder who could also take up Barrys job of taking penalties.
This situation kinda has similarities to the article I wrote on One club players.
4 months ago
Thanks Keith, Barry a quiet captain, Reo-Coker does all the talking on the pitch so could replace him as captain.
4 months ago
You make some good points (in regard to selling Barry while he's at top value and still replaceable) but I can't really agree with you on the whole.
Call me cynical but I would question the impact psychologically on the team. I mean, Barry leads by example....and if he "jumps ship", it could leave the squad shaken, ya know? Sure he can be replaced, but when he is considered a key player and can be replaced, it cant really be sending the right message to some frankly psychologically fragile players (see the league defeats against Man Utd).
Then, although Van Der Vaart and Montolivo are both brilliant players, can they deal with the pace of the English game?
Also, I feel that Crouch is not really needed by Villa. If he were to replace Carew, I dont think he would score many more goals if at all, and he would likely create less. Carew is a great target man, and the big man/quick man combination works well for Villa. Crouch's holdup play and target man potential is far more limited. He may be a better finisher, but the lesser ability as a target man and relatively poor aerial ability (compared to Carew) might mean he gets less chances, and thus finishes on the same amount of goals. Also, theres that psychological impact again. Carew has been ever present pretty much, and instrumental for Villa at times. Replacing him would really shake the nerves of some of the other (particularly the younger) players.
Carson, though a top prospect, would require too large a cash input from Liverpool (as he is not worth half of Barry's value right now - £9m) and is therefore not a realistic swap option considering Liverpool's lack of spending power. Carson and Crouch for Barry is a realistic deal, but I wouldnt consider it a coup for Villa. There wouldnt be that much gain. From last season, the only increase would be that Villa would have another striker. One who I feel wouldnt be able to fill the "20-goal man" role, and thats not significant enough progress to consider it a good deal. Wouldnt be a bad deal, but wouldnt be too good either.
from 4 months ago
You make a great point with the psychological impact, I believe Martin O'Neill is experience in dealing with this during his time at Leicester and Wycombe with losing their influential players.
You are correct with Carew and Crouch comparison but I feel that Crouch would score a few more and is a good creator. He would allow the pace of Young and Agbonlahor to be benefited more by releasing them with the ball being played through rather than being flicked on. Carew is better in the air `but i would say that Crouch's best attribute is his control. I agree with your point, and did state that the forwards do not need improving. I believe Crouch would be closer to scoring 20 than Carew would be.
Good comments.
4 months ago
If Villa are to sell Barry I can see him going to Arsenal before Liverpool. I think the strong words by O Neill weren't for show. He was livid in the way Liverpool went about their business. Arsenal have lost Hleb and Barry's first touch and ability to find time and space on the ball would fit their style.
from 4 months ago
I have not heard about Arsenal's interest but if they do lose Hleb and having already lost Flamini, Barry would be an ideal signing and I agree that O'Neill maybe willing to do business with Wenger. We shall see.
4 months ago
your talking shit, crouch is our reject for a start, carew is better, we dont want/need riise, and carson has been shit ever since his international caps (yeah both of them) liverpool think they can run the league, thats crap hes going nowhere once liverpool win it then i might listen, but as long as there ran by idiots and managed by satan then no, barry would benefit staying at villa, you just proved in this article that your completely clueless (and need shooting)
from 4 months ago
what a rant, thats top rant of the year for me.hahaha.
from 4 months ago
With respect, I wholly disagree, although we did sell Crouch he was no reject, the change in manager lead to his departure as Graham Taylor's long ball target man tactics were no longer employed. I never said that we want or needed Riise only that it had been mentioned - I agree with you on that point. Carson is young and the only goalkeeper we have currently is Stuart Taylor, surely you do not rate him higher than Carson? I do not believe that Barry will benefit at staying at Villa but agree that Villa may, I do not overrate Barry he is a great player but he is replaceable and you will see.
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