Bradley Barcola: Liverpool's New Signing Set for Premier League Debut
Bradley Barcola has barely unpacked his bags, but Liverpool are already weighing up how quickly to unleash their new European heavyweight.
The French winger, a two-time Champions League winner with Paris Saint-Germain, finalised his move on Monday and has wasted no time stepping into his new world. He has already trained with his Liverpool teammates and is in line to be involved when the Reds open their Premier League campaign at Portman Road on Friday night.
Iraola’s priority signing
For Andoni Iraola, this was the deal. The one he wanted, the one the club had to land.
“We are very happy with Bradley. It was our priority, let's say, to sign a very, very good player in that position,” the head coach said on Thursday morning, making no attempt to play down the significance of the transfer.
What has struck Iraola most is not just Barcola’s pedigree, but his attitude.
“I think he has come also with the right mentality. I've liked from him that he wanted Liverpool a lot. He just wanted to come here and I think that's a good first sign,” he explained.
A player who has already lifted Europe’s biggest prize twice could have arrived with a sense of entitlement. Iraola sees the opposite.
“Being the player that he is and the things that he has won recently, I think he has come also with the willingness to help us. I'm very happy with him.”
Ready for Portman Road?
Barcola has put in three training sessions with his new club and, crucially, has been working fully with the group rather than on an individual programme. That has fast-tracked his integration and cleared the way for him to feature immediately.
“He trained well with us. If everything goes well in today's training also, he will definitely be available for tomorrow, yes,” Iraola confirmed.
Available is one thing. Starting is another. That decision, the first big call of Liverpool’s league season, is still on the manager’s desk.
Asked directly if Barcola is ready to start, Iraola allowed himself a brief smile: “It's a good question, it's a good question.
“I see him in a good place. He has trained with us in three trainings. It's true that he hasn't had minutes in pre-season but he has been training normal with the group. Then it's a decision we have to make.
“I think he's in a good place but we also have to consider that he hasn't had the minutes in the pre-season games.”
So the dilemma is clear. Trust the sharpness he shows in training, or respect the lack of match rhythm. Either way, Liverpool’s new signing will step into the Premier League spotlight sooner rather than later.
