Liam Rosenior eyes Chelsea reunion with ex-Premier League defender now starring in new role

Gary O’Neil is reaping the rewards as supervisor of Strasbourg from one in all Liam Rosenior’s former protegees – nevertheless it will not be for lengthy.

Valentin Barco has undergone a dramatic transformation in Alsace from a flying full-back into one in all Ligue 1’s prime younger midfielders.

The 21-year-old was as soon as tipped as Brighton’s ‘subsequent £100million participant’ upon his arrival on the Amex in January 2024.

Barco signed for the Seagulls for £7.87m on a four-and-a-half-year deal, having been scouted by Manchester United and Man Metropolis.

The then left-back initially hinted at residing as much as the hype throughout his first six months in England, after impressing in opposition to the Purple Devils, Pep Guardiola’s males, and certainly, Chelsea.

Valentin Barco: FPL favorite to Strasbourg playmaker

Pervis Estupinan underwent surgical procedure in April 2024, which hinted at Barco being Brighton’s first-choice for the beginning of the 24/25 season.

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The one-cap Argentinian worldwide began the ultimate pre-season pleasant beneath Fabian Hurzeler earlier than the Premier League restarted.

The hype round Barco turned so large that almost 25 per cent of FPL managers chosen him of their squads forward of the season.

He turned probably the most owned defender within the £4.0million value bracket, and but was despatched on mortgage to Sevilla after Gameweek 2.

Six months later, Barco was then loaned to Strasbourg and helped Rosenior’s males qualify for this marketing campaign’s Convention League.

The 5ft 7in starlet accomplished a everlasting change to ‘Le Racing’ final July, the place he has since continued to go from energy to energy.

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Barco stats and Chelsea switch newest

The Argentine has scored one aim and registered 4 assists in 17 Ligue 1 appearances beneath Rosenior and now O’Neil this season.

He’s joint prime for large possibilities created with 9 alongside former Chelsea man Diego Moreira, one other of Rosenior’s success tales.

At Strasbourg in Ligue 1 this season, Barco additionally ranks first for ball touches (1271) and second for profitable passes (812).

Out of possession, he sits second within the membership’s charts for contests received (18), complete distance lined (178.29 km), and profitable tackles (22).

Much more impressively, these stats come regardless of Barco lacking two Ligue 1 matches by means of suspension and sickness late final yr.

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‘Barco was such an vital participant for Rosenior’

Barco has began all three matches of O’Neil’s tenure, however an extra ban has dominated him out of going through Paris Saint-Germain this Sunday.

And that is likely to be a window into what’s to return, with Chelsea focused on signing one more of their BlueCo affiliate gamers.

On Barco’s change right into a midfield pressure, European soccer skilled Andy Brassell informed talkSPORT: “It is come from Liam Rosenior, truly.

“I feel it actually underlines how good Rosenior is with particular person gamers.

“What he is been capable of do to Moreira, Barco, who I do know they’re focused on. I do know Chelsea and Rosenior are focused on him.

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“And really, to a rising extent, I feel you possibly can say Martial Godo, who’s been more and more good within the final couple of months.

“But it surely’s fascinating while you take a look at a fullback who’s nearly as good on the ball as Barco.

“It is sort of a comparatively easy factor to get him to play this inside left type of position, fairly much like in all probability Raphaël Guerreiro’s finest spot, truly. He nonetheless performs left-back for Portugal, however that is simply because nobody else will do it, actually.

“I feel, actually, if you happen to take a look at him, he is finest utilized in midfield as a result of he is such passer of the ball, as a result of he is such an clever runner, as a result of he may even get within the field and rating targets.

“All these kinds of issues, you’d somewhat him be slightly increased up the pitch.

“Barco was such an vital participant for Rosenior that even earlier than the hypothesis, to me it appeared apparent that he is the participant, each coach needs a participant who can run issues for him.

“It is slightly bit like, if we’re going method again, Vincent Kompany going to Burnley and bringing Josh Cullen from Anderlecht. A man who can interpret on the pitch what my type of soccer needs to be.

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“I spoke to a few the Chelsea gamers at NBA London, Joao Pedro and Malo Gusto, they usually have been each, effectively, it’s method completely different beneath Liam Rosenior, they usually appear to fairly get pleasure from that and embrace it.

“However however, I feel if you happen to can have a participant on the pitch that claims, ‘Proper, that is how we get organised, I feel it is enormously useful.'”