03 Jun 2026 18:57:42
I'm interested in which player most would go for.
I'm concerned Barcolla will be too lightweight for the Premier League. I honestly don't understand why he's rated so high.
On Dionandi he looks more equipped, physically stronger.
I would prefer a prem proven guy as I see it as an important to have that experience.
Is Barcolla expensive cos he's from PSG?
03 Jun 2026 19:33:12
No one really knows the fee for Barcola, but I'd presume it to be £70m. He can play across the front three, is young, a French international, and his goals and assists since being at PSG are good.
Personally, for the same price I'd go for Rayan, although we would have to be quick as Bournemouth want him to sign a new deal with a £120m release clause in 2027.
03 Jun 2026 19:45:13
Henry was considered a lightweight risk for Arsenal at the time. Had underperformed at overseas club previously. Did ok at Arsenal, I think?
Also, Salah was not a world beater at Chelsea, and ended up at Roma - where he did ok.
Some of these lauded youngsters only take off at our club. The energy of the fans can make them explode, but we do need that matchday vibe to return.
03 Jun 2026 19:45:46
Yeah Rayan for me too.
03 Jun 2026 20:12:33
Barcola is class. Last season he put up similar numbers to what Olise has this season, and nobody would hesitate to go for Olise. Even though Olise actually is proven to struggle in the Prem with the intensity, suffering recurring muscle injuries.
If Barcola is an option, we simply have to go for him. If he chooses to go somewhere else, so be it. But it would be negligent to not even try, in my opinion.
03 Jun 2026 20:29:39
I've only seen Barcola a few times and nah, not for me.
03 Jun 2026 20:49:04
Who has the data on Barcola's finishing? I do not think of clinical finishing the times I have seen him play (and just not the final).
03 Jun 2026 20:51:46
I'm not that way inclined chrisymate, but I expect with his hair making him look like a young Jamie Redknapp, Alex Scott would win that vote.
03 Jun 2026 21:02:11
Mk scouser, I really enjoy reading your posts and analysis of our games. In fact, we see the game in quite a similar way. However, saying that we must sign Barcola. Unless I didn't spot the dark humour you are famous for, I seriously disagree with you on Barcola. I've posted my thoughts on him before.
He's the worst, talentless, waste of time player. He can't tackle, pass, shoot, head, track back or forward, tackles himself, and has a terrible goal per chance conversion rate. I called him the French Gakpo. Actually, he's David Ngog Mark 2 with a mix of Joe Cole. Avoid this donkey at all costs.
{Ed025's Note - i take it you are not his press officer then KK..
03 Jun 2026 21:20:30
Is there no interest in Jarrod Bowen anymore? I think he would be a very shrewd addition, prem proven and would be much more cost effective, since Diamonde or Barcola would cost £70m+ each, so one of them plus Bowen would probably be more sensible. We need some experience in this team. I'd go as far as to say we might need 3 forwards coming in with Gakpo, Chiesa leaving alongside Salah. But, if we are to keep Elliot, I guess that can make up for going for 2 top forwards instead of 3.
Isak, Ekitike and Rio are the only ones I'd keep if I'm Iraola. Gakpo would generate a decent fee and I don't rate him as anything more than a decent rotation/squad player, I'm not sure what anyone sees in him being a starter. If he's wanting to leave, I'll happily take the money for him because he's not a starter, not in a million years. Chiesa just needs a fresh start, him alongside Endo were completely misused by Slot so I just think it's best for them to finish their careers elsewhere.
03 Jun 2026 21:48:22
King Kev, I'm not saying we must sign him, just that it would be negligent to not even at least have a conversation with him and his agent.
Last year he got 21 goals and 21 assists. However, Kvaratskhelia signed for PSG in January 2025 and that was the beginning of Barcola's drop off. Barcola is at his best on the LW and he found himself shunted over to RW where he is less effective. This year he found himself dropping gradually behind Doue at RW as well.
The Barcola who started the 24/25 season on the LW is an elite player. Unfortunately for him Kvaratskhelia is probably the best player of this new generation and he happens to play in Barcola's preferred position.
He was still putting up decent numbers until Doue pushed him out the team; another absolutely fantastic talent by the way.
Barcola would be a mega upgrade on Gakpo on the LW and could 'replace' Salah as our star man through which we can channel our attacks. I think your assessment is not just harsh, but totally wrong. However, it's a subjective matter to judge footballers, so you are well entitled to disagree with me on this topic, mate. If Barcola ends up at Arsenal, I hope you are right about him and I am wrong!
03 Jun 2026 23:00:13
Nice post MK.
04 Jun 2026 06:48:58
25/26 season league 29 starts -11 goals, no ass.
24/25 season 34 starts 14 goals -10 assists.
04 Jun 2026 06:50:17
Barcola stats, forget to header the stats.
04 Jun 2026 09:00:27
Fat wallet, those are incorrect stats.
In 24/25 he started 27 Ligue 1 games.
In 25/26 he started 21 Ligue 1 games.
More important is the minutes in all competitions, though. He played about 3900 minutes in 24/25. In 25/26 he only played about 2900 minutes. A near 25% drop in game time.
Also, in 24/25 he made 44 appearances at LW as per Transfermarkt, whereas in 25/26 he only made 30 appearances at LW.
So close to a 33% drop in appearances in his preferred position.
What you have posted is not Ligue 1 starts; it is Ligue 1 appearances. An appearance is a huge difference to a start and is also totally misguiding in terms of the number of minutes he lost in all competitions, especially in his preferred position.