Chelsea players before a training session
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Chelsea’s exit door is always revolving. The club’s approach to spending big means they have to sell big, and it might not come as a surprise to see Valentin Barco become a casualty.
With Jordan Henderson, Romeo Lavia, Reece James and Moises Caicedo ahead of the Argentine player in the pecking order at Stamford Bridge, Barco is left to feed off scraps. That’s if there ever are any.
Just one Premier League start has been afforded to the former Brighton ace, after his £34m move from French side Strasbourg – the other club in Clearlake’s portfolio. He has been discussing his career goals.
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Valentin Barco makes it clear he wants to return to Boca Juniors
The 22-year-old is expected to have a long-winded, successful career in Europe. Brighton might have come too early for Barco, but the red-haired star sparkled at Ligue 1 side Strasbourg under Liam Rosenior.
At Chelsea, he is never going to get the game time he desires. The odd cup game here, a few substitute appearances there. Ultimately, Barco wasn’t signed by Alonso; he was signed to bring profit to Chelsea.
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Credit: Photo by Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images/Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
Height is a virtue needed in midfield in order to support defence, look at Arsenal for example. Henderson would be a perfect mix with Caicedo & lavia too ,not this Barco.
Harry Maguire didn't, but the VAR team did. Also the stats show this was his best club performance for 2 years, so where's has he been then
Nah, stick with for now.
Speaking to the Edul Brothers this week, Barco gave a candid interview in which he praised Chelsea target Nico Paz and spoke of the difficulty in moving from South American football to Europe’s big leagues.
He also made it clear he will return to Boca: “I want to win titles, be important, repay the fans for all their love. It’s something I feel I owe. I’m taking responsibility for my past; I’m going to come back,” he said.
“I was at the club since I was nine; those 35 games were a dream. It all happened so fast; it was hard to leave, but I think I made the right decision. Today I experience it as a fan, sending messages after games.”
It’s not the first time Barco has said he wants to return to Boca
During the last few months at Strasbourg, it was the worst-kept secret that both Barco and Emmanuel Emegha would be joining Chelsea in the summer. A combined £60m was spent on the duo by Chelsea.
Right now, their additions seem somewhat pointless. It wouldn’t matter a great deal if they hadn’t been signed by Chelsea, and if they left, they would hardly leave a dent in Alonso’s future Chelsea plans.
But Alonso is a fan of “fighter” Barco. If Chelsea get into Europe next season, a bigger squad will be required, and Barco will be needed more. That’s if Chelsea can convince Barco to remain in London.
It’s not the first time Barco has spoken of his dream to return to Boca. Towards the end of his stint in France, ahead of his move to Chelsea, Barco spoke of his desire to go back to the club where it all began.
For now, Barco will remain at Chelsea while the Blues believe he can garner a profit in the transfer market. Even if he did leave next summer, it won’t be to Boca, it will be to a club that can reasonably afford him.