The news that Joey Barton is being allowed to leave Newcastle on a free transfer is typical of a club with a history of crazy transfer dealings, but in reality it is just another part of the long running soap opera that is the midfielder’s life.
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| Barton was Newcastle's Player of the Year last season. |
But the board have clearly had enough of his off the field antics which is not all that surprising given most football fans across England have long been divided on Barton.
Many people find him a repulsive human being and will never forget his past indiscretions. He spent time in jail for a alcohol fuelled assault on a man in Liverpool which saw him punch his victim twenty times. Many will have witnessed this often petulant and spiteful thuggery on the pitch, some of which saw him reprimanded (the punch on Morten Gamst Pedersen for one) and others he got away with (personally I remember seeing him do a similar thing to Craig Gardner at Villa Park the year Newcastle went down).
In recent years he has apparently turned a corner, becoming a key figure in Newcastle's promotion back to the Premiership and also being the clubs best player for most of last season. That is a fact not lost on Barton himself, who through his new found favourite medium of Twitter, declared himself "the best English midfielder in the Premiership" on current form, as well as lambasting the selection of Gareth Barry in the England side.
And now he has officially been made available for transfer, let’s take a look at his potential Premiership destinations.
Where he won't be going:
Chelsea - They don't need him and he isn't good enough for what they need.
Wigan - Barton does not need them and they couldn't afford him, although he would undoubtedly improve their team.
Swansea, Norwich, West Brom, QPR - None bar QPR could afford his wages, but he would be an improvement and provide Premiership experience in their respective battles for survival. However, Barton is unlikely to be in favour of a move to another side battling for relegation. If he has any ambition he will want to push for a move to a club with European football.
Blackburn - Venky's would undoubtedly love to cease the chance to sign him on a free and hail him a "world class signing", but Blackburn is not a big enough stage for the egotistical Barton.
Wolves - Barton's Twitter antics mean working for archaic Mick McCarthy is impossible.
Man City - His previous spell at Manchester City well and truly burnt Barton's bridges there. He isn't good enough anyway.
Fulham - It just doesn't sound right. "Joey Barton signs for Fulham". They are too much of a nice club.
Bolton - They could use someone of his talent's, but Owen Coyle has just gone out and signed Nigel Reo-Coker and the club are unlikely to be able to afford both's wages.
Unlikely destinations
Sunderland - They have done their business already and lining Barton up alongside Lee Catermole would be a recipe for disaster. Wouldn't be surprised though as he would surely love to stick one to the Newcastle board.
Aston Villa - While their midfield could certainly use his dynamism, Alex McLeish has said he won’t be buying any more players as Randy Lerner is looking to reduce the wage bill. However, the fact it is a free transfer means it’s not impossible.
Manchester United - United do need a centre midfielder and the free transfer means it is an interesting possibility, but I seriously doubt Alex Ferguson would want to take on someone with the baggage he brings. Although his Twitter antics would mean he fit right in with Rio and Rooney.
Liverpool - The red half of Merseyside has been muted as a potential destination for Barton, but they have spent big on Henderson and Adam already this summer. They also already have Gerrard and Lucas to play centre midfield. It's not entirely ruled out though.
Arsenal - While this has been widely muted, I would personally be amazed if Arsene Wenger signed Barton. Moving away from the fact he is English, his character issues make him an unlikely signing for Wenger who has a history of moving on players who become a disruptive influence in the dressing room and he certainly wouldn't stand for some of Barton's antics. It would however be refreshing if Wenger took a chance on a player who has been plying his trade in the Premiership.
Can see these happening:
Spurs - Harry Redknapp loves a bargain and is always looking to improve his squad. Barton would provide a bit of fight to their midfield and his forward thinking style of play would fit the Spurs way. He would also get a chance to prove himself to be the player he claims to be as Spurs will once again be battling to make it into the top four.
Stoke - This may be a surprise, but Stoke have proven that they are shrewd in the transfer market in the past and this move makes sense. Barton would improve their central midfield options dramatically and Stoke fans would also appreciate his combative style of play. European football also makes them an attractive option for Barton to showcase the ability he believes he has.
Everton - A move back to Merseyside has long been muted with Barton and while Liverpool would be the more glamorous option, their signings this summer make them a less likely destination. David Moyes has no transfer money to spend so will see this as a great chance to improve his midfield without having to sell one of his better players. While Everton fans may remember his short dropping antics of a few seasons ago, they would appreciate his style of play and he would definitely be an improvement on playing Phil Neville and John Heitinga in centre midfield.
Wigan - Barton does not need them and they couldn't afford him, although he would undoubtedly improve their team.
Swansea, Norwich, West Brom, QPR - None bar QPR could afford his wages, but he would be an improvement and provide Premiership experience in their respective battles for survival. However, Barton is unlikely to be in favour of a move to another side battling for relegation. If he has any ambition he will want to push for a move to a club with European football.
Blackburn - Venky's would undoubtedly love to cease the chance to sign him on a free and hail him a "world class signing", but Blackburn is not a big enough stage for the egotistical Barton.
Wolves - Barton's Twitter antics mean working for archaic Mick McCarthy is impossible.
Man City - His previous spell at Manchester City well and truly burnt Barton's bridges there. He isn't good enough anyway.
Fulham - It just doesn't sound right. "Joey Barton signs for Fulham". They are too much of a nice club.
Bolton - They could use someone of his talent's, but Owen Coyle has just gone out and signed Nigel Reo-Coker and the club are unlikely to be able to afford both's wages.
Unlikely destinations
Sunderland - They have done their business already and lining Barton up alongside Lee Catermole would be a recipe for disaster. Wouldn't be surprised though as he would surely love to stick one to the Newcastle board.
Aston Villa - While their midfield could certainly use his dynamism, Alex McLeish has said he won’t be buying any more players as Randy Lerner is looking to reduce the wage bill. However, the fact it is a free transfer means it’s not impossible.
Manchester United - United do need a centre midfielder and the free transfer means it is an interesting possibility, but I seriously doubt Alex Ferguson would want to take on someone with the baggage he brings. Although his Twitter antics would mean he fit right in with Rio and Rooney.
Liverpool - The red half of Merseyside has been muted as a potential destination for Barton, but they have spent big on Henderson and Adam already this summer. They also already have Gerrard and Lucas to play centre midfield. It's not entirely ruled out though.
Arsenal - While this has been widely muted, I would personally be amazed if Arsene Wenger signed Barton. Moving away from the fact he is English, his character issues make him an unlikely signing for Wenger who has a history of moving on players who become a disruptive influence in the dressing room and he certainly wouldn't stand for some of Barton's antics. It would however be refreshing if Wenger took a chance on a player who has been plying his trade in the Premiership.
Can see these happening:
Spurs - Harry Redknapp loves a bargain and is always looking to improve his squad. Barton would provide a bit of fight to their midfield and his forward thinking style of play would fit the Spurs way. He would also get a chance to prove himself to be the player he claims to be as Spurs will once again be battling to make it into the top four.
Stoke - This may be a surprise, but Stoke have proven that they are shrewd in the transfer market in the past and this move makes sense. Barton would improve their central midfield options dramatically and Stoke fans would also appreciate his combative style of play. European football also makes them an attractive option for Barton to showcase the ability he believes he has.
Everton - A move back to Merseyside has long been muted with Barton and while Liverpool would be the more glamorous option, their signings this summer make them a less likely destination. David Moyes has no transfer money to spend so will see this as a great chance to improve his midfield without having to sell one of his better players. While Everton fans may remember his short dropping antics of a few seasons ago, they would appreciate his style of play and he would definitely be an improvement on playing Phil Neville and John Heitinga in centre midfield.
