Derby County have been linked with former Rangers midfielder Joey Barton.
Joey Barton in action with Burnley’s Dean Marney
According to The Sun, Derby County boss Steve McClaren is ready to give Joey Barton a route back in to the Championship following the midfielder’s release from Scottish giants Rangers.
Barton only joined the Gers in the summer, yet a controversial training ground bust-up following a 5-1 defeat to Celtic saw him suspended by the club and ultimately released from his contract this week.
The 34-year-old made promises of becoming the best player in Scotland after moving to Ibrox, yet his Scottish adventure quickly turned sour and his most likely next move will now be back in England.
The Sun claim that newly-appointed Derby manager Steve McClaren will offer him an opportunity with the view to signing him after the two worked together at Queens Park Rangers in 2013.
Clint Hill and Joey Barton look dejected after Burnley’s second goal
But the big question for Derby supporters is whether the club actually need him, and many supporters including myself feel he is not the sort of player the Rams need going forward.
Barton has thrived at some of his former clubs, helping Queens Park Rangers achieve promotion at the expense of Derby in the 2013/14 campaign while also helping Burnley win the Championship last term.
There is no doubt that the former Manchester City man has an abundance of experience and some could add leadership skills too, but one attribute he evidently lacks is an ability to dictate play.
Barton was tailor-made for Burnley as the Clarets play a reactive style of football, meaning Barton could just sit in midfield, help his side soak up pressure and put in the necessary tackles.
At Rangers he was tasked with dictating play as the Gers look to dominate possession under Mark Warburton, and it was there where Barton started to look slow, ponderous and simply out of sync.
Derby have for the past few years now been a side who like to get on the ball and create, aided with the brilliance of Will Hughes in midfield and now added to by the likes of Jacob Butterfield.
With Bradley Johnson, Craig Bryson and George Thorne also fellow midfield options, Barton would simply struggle to make the starting eleven and also match those above in terms of quality on the ball.
Derby manager Steve McClaren
Derby saw first-hand under Nigel Pearson how the team struggled to click playing in a reactive manner, and under McClaren they’ve soon rediscovered that flowing football helps get the most out of their key players.
Barton simply doesn’t fit the playing profile of the side, while many supporters also feel his personality and previous issues wouldn’t be a good fit for a club who prides itself on giving off a good impression.
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