Thierry Henry has issued his verdict on Bradley Barcola's chances of succeeding at Liverpool after the exciting French winger made his mega-money move from Paris Saint-Germain
Thierry Henry former Arsenal Player before the UEFA Champions League Final 2026 match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal FC
Thierry Henry has discussed Bradley Barcola at Liverpool(Image: (Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images))
Former Arsenal, Barcelona, and France forward Thierry Henry has claimed that Bradley Barcola has walked into a tough new challenge with Liverpool, and compared his own situation to that of the new star on Merseyside.
The 24-year-old was being tracked by the Reds throughout the summer transfer window, as tough negotiations with PSG dragged into the final week of the market. Eventually, a deal was struck worth over $160 million, a huge fee that reflects the winger's standing in the game and the potential for him to progress further in the near future.
There has been an early adjustment period for Barcola so far at Anfield, having shown some positive signs in performances, but without a goal or assist to his name in five appearances across all competitions.
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While there is plenty of hope that Liverpool will finally see the winger hit the heights in the weeks, months, and years to come, it may still take some time.
That much has been explained by Henry, who himself has experience of moving to the Premier League at a young age. The former Arsenal star was recently asked about his fellow countryman and whether he can become one of the best wingers in the world, with his answer making it clear just how difficult the task is.
Speaking to Betway, he said: "It depends, because people forget that the tactic, the team and how you play matters. You can see that everyone who comes into Luis Enrique’s system shines – Kvaratskhelia, Dembele, Doue, Barcola.
"It’s not always easy when you’re used to a certain system and a way of playing, where everybody knows what’s happening at any time. He just arrived in Liverpool, he doesn’t speak English, and it’s a different style of play with different intensity in the league.
Bradley Barcola of Liverpool looks on during the Premier League match against Bournemouth
Bradley Barcola joined Liverpool from Paris Saint-Germain towards the end of the transfer window(Image: Photo by Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images)
"I had to deal with it the same way, and then that little switch happened, and I was more comfortable. You start to speak English, you can joke around in the dressing room, you’re a bit less shy, and people start to know what you’re about."
When it comes to that challenge, Henry has outlined exactly what Barcola is good at, which Liverpool fans have already seen glimpses of, while making it clear where he needs to improve.
"It’s not an easy place to start, and he didn’t ask for his price tag, but it’s on his back," Henry added. "We all know that one-v-one, he is deadly, and he has pace. The only thing he needs to work on is his finishing, but that’s normal.
"If you see my finishing when I was 19 or 20 [years old] compared to the end of my career, it was so different. I became so much more sure about my game.
"With winning the Champions League back-to-back, playing for France, with the price tag and the quality that he has, people are not going to wait for him to become the finished article, so he’s going to have to deliver. There is going to be a level of expectation, and sometimes he is a bit raw in his finishing, but he creates a hell of a lot."
With the season now well underway, Liverpool will be hopeful that Barcola can truly hit the ground running after the international break, with some huge matches coming up to prove himself in as he settles into the division.