Bradley Barcola: Liverpool's French Saviour?

On 31st August, Bradley Barcola officially became a Liverpool player, joining from back-to-back Champions League and Ligue 1 winners PSG for a £123 million fee.

After a summer filled with non-stop speculation, both pre- and post-World Cup, that the French international would depart the Parc des Princes for the Premier League, it finally happened.

Liverpool were in need of a top-quality Mohamed Salah replacement and, as a Liverpool supporter, Barcola was a player who had been on my radar to join Anfield, having followed him for several years.

A promising Premier League debut:

Barcola made his debut this Friday in the 2-0 win at Ipswich Town, making his introduction to life in English football and adapting to the Premier League like a duck to water.

He replaced fellow summer signing and World Cup champion Victor Muñoz in the 64th minute, and in his 26-minute trial, Bradley showed off his electric pace and dribbling — his two strongest attributes.

Those qualities are key for success in the Premier League and gave me confidence, albeit against a team tipped for relegation.

Fun fact: he broke a season record so far, recording a sprint of 22.3mph this campaign. A nice foreshadowing of what to expect!

A natural fit for Iraola’s system:

I think this signing and his playing style adapt well to Andoni Iraola’s system, which we saw last season during his time at Bournemouth.

Wingers such as Antoine Semenyo, prior to his move to Manchester City, accumulated 13 G/A, while Rayan adapted very quickly to life in the Premier League following his move from Brazilian side Vasco da Gama, gaining 7 G/A in 15 appearances.

I have noticed that Iraola likes to build a strong connection between his wingers and full-backs, with Adrien Truffert partnering very well with the wingers last season due to his pace and ability to cover for them.

Milos Kerkez has not exactly had the best spell at Liverpool so far, but perhaps this Barcola signing can help him unlock his potential.

We saw during Barcola's PSG days how effective his partnership on the left with Nuno Mendes could be, with Mendes overlapping well and Barcola cutting inside.

The pace and ball-carrying attributes of Barcola will impact his teammates massively, as he can stretch defenders and create more space around him.

Wirtz could be one of the biggest beneficiaries:

I believe Florian Wirtz’s potential and creativity will be unlocked by having someone pacey on the left of him.

Barcola’s ability to stretch the opposition could allow Wirtz to get into more dangerous spaces and spray those perfectly weighted passes, in turn causing havoc for the opposition.

It is a partnership which could become particularly exciting to watch if both players develop an understanding.

Isak can benefit too:

Whereas Isak benefits from wingers who are pacey, willing to take their full-back on and cut inside, this signing could continue to help his form.

We have seen Alexander Isak produce insane numbers at Newcastle when supported by Anthony Gordon, Jacob Murphy and Harvey Barnes.

Barcola has the attributes to provide a similar threat.

His pace can stretch a defensive line, while his dribbling can force defenders into one-versus-one situations.

That could create the space Isak needs to thrive centrally.

Can Barcola become the next Salah?

I believe this signing is a 10/10 addition alongside the acquisitions of Jeremy Jacquet, Victor Muñoz and Ronald Araújo to our squad.

His pedigree and experience suit our team massively, having played a pivotal role for France in this year’s World Cup and over the past several seasons with PSG.

I think he’s capable of 20 G/A.

He may not instantly replicate Mo Salah’s numbers, but give him time and he can be the best signing of the league’s summer transfer window.

£123 million is a steep fee in my eyes, but then again, there are so many inflated signings in modern football.

You’re getting a proven winger who has been instrumental in winning multiple trophies and has already experienced playing at the highest level.

The French champions didn’t want to get rid of him. He was a nightmare to terrorise the opposition with, and when we played them in the Champions League, he always brought me some concern when he was up against our full-backs.

That says a lot about the threat he possesses.

Barcola can’t solve every problem:

Liverpool, if I am honest, I cannot see them getting a top-four spot simply due to the mediocre planning.

Not getting another right winger, a top-tier centre-back and a CDM could cost us when competing in multiple competitions, especially with a squad that can be deemed thin.

I think we are in a transition phase, and I think we will get 5th place at best.

But, hey ho, I can still be proven wrong!

Perhaps Barcola can be the player who changes that prediction.

His arrival gives Liverpool another explosive attacking option, creates space for the likes of Wirtz and Isak, and gives the team a winger capable of stretching defences in a way that could prove crucial across a long Premier League season.

He may not be Mohamed Salah, and I don't think Liverpool should expect him to be.

But if Barcola can develop into the player many believe he can become, £123 million may eventually look like a price worth paying.