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5 reasons Tottenham should be excited to sign Ross Barkley

By Rucker Haringey

SWANSEA, WALES - MAY 06: Ross Barkley of Everton arrives prior to the Premier League match between Swansea City and Everton at The Liberty Stadium on May 6, 2017 in Swansea, Wales. (Photo by Athena Pictures/Getty Images)
SWANSEA, WALES - MAY 06: Ross Barkley of Everton arrives prior to the Premier League match between Swansea City and Everton at The Liberty Stadium on May 6, 2017 in Swansea, Wales. (Photo by Athena Pictures/Getty Images) /
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STRATFORD, ENGLAND – MAY 05: Christian Eriksen of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur at London Stadium on May 5, 2017 in Stratford, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images)
STRATFORD, ENGLAND – MAY 05: Christian Eriksen of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur at London Stadium on May 5, 2017 in Stratford, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images) /

1. He’ll lessen the load on Christian Eriksen

Christian Eriksen has been one of Tottenham’s best players this season. Spurs fans do know, however, that the Dane can run hot and cold. Acquiring a player like Barkley would give Pochettino real options during Eriksen’s periodic dips in form.

This season, Eriksen’s 12 assists are twice the number of his closest teammate. Barkley’s eight assists prove that he’s capable of creating valuable offense for the team as well. That would prove useful whether or not Eriksen was involved in a good run of form.

The club currently have enough goal scorers when Harry Kane is fit. What they don’t have sometimes, is enough people to make the incisive passes to create chances for their talented finishers. Barkley has the creative passing ability to unlock defenses who are content to park the bus against Spurs.

Critics of Barkley will point out that his assist totals benefit from Romelu Lukaku’s presence in the squad. That’s certainly correct. By the same token, Eriksen’s totals benefit from a world-class finisher like Harry Kane. The two strikers will provide Barkley with roughly the same level of finishing.

Next: 5 potential X factor signings for Tottenham

In the end, Tottenham fans should be very happy if Ross Barkley ends up signing with Spurs. The fact that we’re even questioning the potential purchase shows just how far Pochettino has brought the club during his tenure.

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