Chelsea have just announced the departure of Ross Barkley to Aston Villa on loan, a move which has elicited a strange reaction on social media.
A lot of Blues fans weren’t huge Barkley fans, but equally they’re amazed to see the squad weakened on the eve of the season.
There was a particular aversion to the idea that Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who has struggled in the early stages of the season, would be staying ahead of Barkley, who had looked a lot better in a similar position.
“What are we doing?” asked one fan, and while we don’t think it’s that extreme, we have to admit we were a little surprised too. Still, we trust Frank and the club to get this right.
There were also Aston Villa fans who were delighted by John Terry’s potential input on the move to bring in the midfielder from his old club.
You can see a selection of the reaction here:
Aston Villa have signed England midfielder Ross Barkley from Chelsea on a season-long loan.
— Adisorn P. (@jackie14AP) September 30, 2020
https://twitter.com/jellyjay4040/status/1311246562207698946
🎯 Ross Barkley is one of only 12 players to have started 20+ Premier League games since 18/19 to boast a pass accuracy in excess of 90% (90.2%)
😎 Not bad for an attacking midfielder. @AVFCOfficial's new signing 👏 pic.twitter.com/WwHKKyAnMR
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) September 30, 2020
Time for a whole new set of fans to be seduced by The Concept of Ross Barkley
— Adam Hurrey (@FootballCliches) September 30, 2020
🚨 Ross Barkley has joined @AVFCOfficial on loan from @ChelseaFC!
😅 That seemed to come out of nowhere! Good move? pic.twitter.com/EjVkEnAFKu
— SPORF (@Sporf) September 30, 2020
After sending Ross Barkley Aston Villa on loan, I'm hearing Chelsea are now working on sending Loftus Cheek on loan to Instagram.
— WelBeast (@WelBeast) September 30, 2020
How the fuck did Ross Barkley just magically appear at Aston Villa this morning. Fifa career mode type transfer negotiation, click a couple buttons and it's done. This transfer window is sooo unrealistic.
— MAH (@matissearmani) September 30, 2020
I suspect JT had a pull on bringing Barkley to Villa on loan. What a bloke 👏 pic.twitter.com/1fLGRzRm34
— Ty Bracey (@TyBracey) September 30, 2020
So Chelsea have no Number 8 for the whole season. No current player can take it as Barkley has made a league appearance. #cfc
— CFCDaily (@CFCDaily) September 30, 2020
So we’re going to loan out both Barkley and Ruben?
One injury from either Mount or Havertz and we literally almost have no attacking midfielders, what are we doing.
— Mod (@CFCMod_) September 30, 2020
https://twitter.com/hazardsgirll/status/1311238787696123905
According to his Strava Ross Barkley made the 19 minute journey from London to the Midlands last night.
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) September 30, 2020
Ross Barkley was such a waste of potential … no longer in Chelsea’s plans after choosing to follow the money and trophies at the expense of his own career and progress. He hasn’t developed since he left us and now it’s proven … Jack Rodwell 2.0
— J Morgan (@Jono_efc) September 30, 2020
Don’t know if I agree with Barkley going out on loan. Not the best player in our squad by any means but a very good option to have
— Daniel Wright (@DanielWrightCFC) September 30, 2020
Ultimately whilst Barkley is frustrating due to his inconsistencies he also has the ability when called upon to positively impact a game whereas Ruben simply looks like a passenger
— PodOfTwoHalves🎙⚽️ (@PodOfTwoHalves) September 30, 2020
Our attacking capability down the left is now very interesting. The prospect of Targett, Grealish and Barkley linking up should excite us Villa fans. #avfc
— #FPL Villan (@FPL_VILLAN) September 30, 2020
Barkley on the bench for Chelsea but no RLC…
Villa fans: RLC 👀👀👀
12 hours later: pic.twitter.com/9y0hByL0PA— Scott (@CaptainScott87) September 30, 2020
https://twitter.com/Samad5903/status/1311245902464647171
An underrated part of our transfer window has been our ability to clear out unwanted squad players:
– Barkley, Zappacosta, Morata, Pedro, Baker, Kenedy, Batshuayi, Pasalic, + potentially Alonso, Rüdiger all out.
It’ll be vital in funding our search for a DM… pic.twitter.com/U4y9k4A05x
— LDN (@LDNFootbalI) September 30, 2020
