He is languishing on Chelsea bench along with another midfielder, Drinkwater. They will get RLC and probably some others back and may also buy - given their disappointing season. He is likely to be available

Pluses
Obviously talented. Was established international 2 years ago
Similar player to RLC strong on ball midfielder so would not disrupt system
Led Everton for 2 seasons in assists. Also chips in with goals
Only cost Chelsea 15 million - maybe available for less
25 years old

Minuses
Was out with long-term injury
Obviously hasn't impressed Conte
? Big ego
On large (90 per week) long -term contract

18 months ago he wouldn't have looked at us but could now be a good fit. Potentially could help us push on if he got back to form that won him caps
I'm assuming he worked under Hodgson with England so he would probably have some idea of whether he would make sense. Would need a very extensive medical

I'd rather sign Gnarls Barkley !!

Pro USA & Israel

If doin' business with Chelsea, please let RLC be only target. Permanent or on loan....

I wonder if he believes all the hype about him.

He would hardly put in a shift if he drop down to a lower PL club.

Why do you think that? He cost Chelsea 15 million because he was in the final months of his contract. He's not at the age to come to a team a like Palace. Even if he leaves Chelsea (which I don't think will happen after a pre-season and if he's healthy), he'd surely cost a lot of money (I'm thinking in the range of 40 million cause his contract is until bloody 2023!!!!!!!).

Maybe one like Pedro at 31 would think about going to a small club and living out his old days there, but Barkley would get a big club at the moment he's put on the transfer list.
And at worst for him, he'd have stayed at Everton (which is a better club through its finances and position in the PL than Palace).

Edited by mattteo (11 May 2018 8.10pm)

If we could not get Ruben on loan again would most certainly take Barkley. When fit would be great at Palace