Assessing former West Brom loanee Harvey Barnes since his return. How is he fitting into the squad at Leicester City and what future impact will the starlet have?
Recalling Harvey Barnes was something that seemed like everyone with an opinion agreed on. Subsequently Leicester City obliged the Blue Army’s sentiment on the matter; he returned from West Bromwich Albion thereafter.
Forget player power, supporter power is another strong area less talked about: in this instance, Claude Puel recalls the player due to apparent pressure, and of course quality. Contradicting the club’s, or his, previous standing on the matter.
Soon after a bad run of results – despite promising play from the academy graduate at the heart of this article – owner Top Srivaddhanaprabha relieved the Frenchman of duty. Top – also known as Aiyawatt – then cited a ‘poisonous atmosphere’ specifically at home games behind his judgement. Power to the fans!
What Puel said of the youngster was intriguing, as the ex-City chief began wanting the player to remain on his successful West Brom loan. Although, as time went by and more Barnes assists, goals and commendations emerged. Puel went full u-turn knowing a recall was undeniable due to his loaned forward’s form.
Adding to the compulsory nature of his comeback is the fact Leicester struggled at the time of New Year to convert and sometimes create enough sufficient goalscoring chances.
One man who witnessed and benefitted from all of Barnes’ excellent form, goals and key passing was Darren Moore. He’s also lost his job now but is credited with helping develop the youngster too at WBA.
At the time Barnes left the Baggies, Moore proclaimed:
"“I’m sure he [Barnes] will be forever indebted to the football club [West Brom]” Via Leicester Mercury"
Enter the former West Brom loanee in Leicester City’s first team as a starter, following 15 goal involvements in the English second divison, in just half a campaign.
Barnes’ style of play is fundamentally a modern winger’s role – cutting in on the right-foot from the left. However as most successful professionals, his weaker left-foot is also proficient. Evidently he can score an array of goals, as seen through his career in the West Brom first team, Leicester City Under-21s and his time with the Young Lions.
An aspect of the England Under-21 playmaker’s game which seems to be developing from being previously underrated, is the ability to pre-emptively envision a scenario and facilitate productivity. What this means is key passes, link-up movement with other forwards, in addition to an almost sixth sense for what is about to happen. Subsequently how he can selflessly elevate the move.
Crossing is an area which noticeably requires some improvement – maybe Marc Albrighton could be of training ground assistance upon his return, prospectively schooling his teammate. Although Barnes has an aptitude for seeing a gap, and his advancing colleagues, completing low, hard crosses.
These balls-in are tempting Vardy and the like, but again need refinement. A model for the academy graduate to study would be Manchester City’s tap-ins – through masterful Pep Guardiola play – elegantly executed; similarly to the extra pass in basketball. Basically setting up the open goal with clean pass and move – the players are never stagnant with one-twos etcetera.
Stretching the game with width in plenty of space is another trademark of the youngster. Even in his first few appearances he was able to draw the right-back out and enable runs of others into space. Or isolate his man to go directly at or swiftly cross.
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Can Barnes replicate Championship form for Leicester City?
So far since reuniting with his parent club, Barnes has been impressive; raw but auspicious. The most important question as this writer sees it, is assimilation or trust: should he fully commit to an almost robotic fundamental? Which is doing everything by the book on the field.
Another option is the maverick: make moments of individual inspiration in contests which need special impact; regardless of the manager’s general plan.
The latter is what made a player like, say Riyad Mahrez, rise as the cream of talented top-flight wingmen of a specific period. Certainly Barnes has this type of unrefined potential. At the height of Mahrez’s Filbert Way powers he was given freedom to express himself.
FoL suggests Rodgers adopts this philosophy in regards to his young attacker. Although, with the flying advancement of Ben Chilwell down that side during matches, Barnes may have more defending and tracking to contribute than the Algerian managed.
Around the time of the 21-year-old’s reemergence at the King Power Stadium, the East Midlands club’s attacking production was poor or misfiring. Consequently, Barnes capacity to link with Maddison and Vardy is imperative to Leicester’s season; and the returning player’s continued development and success.
Believe us: Barnes can become a club legend at Leicester, by emulating his fearless, intrepid play from his time in the Championship. All in all he seems a likeable, affable teammate, something which will benefit the major transition to premiership star.
Barnes as a Leicester City No.10 or in a midfield three?
There’s been some suggestion and theory that Barnes could, or should be, tried as a No.10 as he appeared to be occasionally for the Baggies. A separate albeit similar option is the furthest forward of a midfield three. Think Robert Snodgrass at West Ham United and naturally James Maddison; the Englishman has that area sewn-up in Leicester though.
It is unlikely to be experimented with now, since Youri Tielemans’ seminal introduction to the outfit. who plays exceptionally well along side James Maddison in a duel attacking-midfielder position. Of course the anchor is Wilfred Ndidi.
Yet the England Under-21 squad member we still be involved, consistently from the left-wing to enable his best form. Maybe he will get a run in ‘the hole’, even if as an interchangeable option with ‘Madders’ during matches. While his boss says having Barnes wide is most applicable. Rodgers also challenged him to get his ‘numbers up’ and fulfil potential, per Leicester Mercury.
With regards to statistical assessment, many observers say most noteworthy is the fact that the Fox hasn’t produced any goals. They will come. In fact, versus Wolverhampton Wanderers in his initial starting match for Leicester this season he scored. Unfortunately it was deflected so went down as an assist – making three total this term.
Whilst consulting WhoScored we learn that Barnes is a confident dribbler, has many key passes in each clash and is an excellent option and catalyst on the counter attack. Whereas it was obvious in his first start that being dispossessed was an issue which has been addressed.
There’s a visit to Burnley for the Foxes this weekend in the premiership. There’s no FA Cup contest as they were disappointingly knocked out in the Third Round by Newport County. Expect the 21-year-old to start once more.