Valentín Barco has come a long way to establish himself at Chelsea, and the Argentine midfielder is pretty happy with how things are going.
The 22-year-old has spoken at length about his development, the challenges of European football and how much his game has changed over the past few years.
He also had an interesting suggestion for Chelsea’s owners when asked which player he’d bring to Stamford Bridge… Cristian Romero, who recently left Tottenham, of all people.
Barco covered plenty of ground in a wide-ranging interview, from his new role in midfield to the demands of playing in the Premier League. And he wasn’t shy about discussing how difficult the journey has been.
Barco explains his transformation into a Chelsea midfielder
Speaking to journalist Gastón Edul and his brother on their YouTube show, Barco discussed how his role has changed since arriving in Europe.
He originally made his name as a left-back, but that’s no longer how he sees himself.
“I was playing more as a full-back here in Europe,” he explained.
“At that point, I remember we prioritised playing above everything else, to show that they were wrong, that I could comfortably play here.”
“Then, as the games went by, they changed my position and I gradually adapted to playing in midfield, as an interior midfielder or in a double pivot.”
“And now I’m definitely playing in midfield. It’s a position where I feel very comfortable.”
Asked which position he enjoys most, Barco made it clear that his days as a full-back are behind him.
“I think playing as a defensive midfielder or an interior midfielder are the two I like most.”
He also explained the difference between his roles for club and country.
“With the national team, I’ve played more as an interior midfielder, while here in Europe it’s been more in a double pivot. But as I said, I can play in either position and I like them both equally.”
And if he were playing back in Argentina today?
“In midfield. Whether it’s in a double pivot or as an interior midfielder in a midfield three, it would be one of those two.”
So as far as he’s concerned, midfield is now his home.
Chelsea man admits he had to start all over again in Europe
Barco also spoke about the enormous difference between being a recognised young talent in Argentina and trying to establish himself in European football. And he gave a fairly revealing description of what happens when a player arrives with a big reputation from South America.
“Here, they’re not very interested in what happens in Argentine football. In fact, when you arrive from Argentina, where you might be a star, nobody even knows who you are here.”
“So that brings you back down to earth a bit. You arrive here and basically have to start from scratch. You don’t understand anything that’s happening, but that’s how it is in Europe.”
He admitted that the experience was difficult, although it also gave him extra motivation.
“It’s a bit of a shock, but it also motivates you to try again, to have that hunger to be important and to be recognised. And you achieve that over time.”
There was never any serious thought of abandoning his European ambitions, though.
“No, I never reconsidered things to the point of going back to Argentina, because I was convinced that I was good enough to play here and that I could be important at a club here, at a big club.”
“But obviously, when you go from being up here to nobody knowing who you are, or having to do everything all over again, as I said, it’s a shock. But it also motivates you. That’s life, that’s football.”
‘They’re robots’ – Barco on the physical demands of English football
Another interesting part of the conversation concerned the changes players have to make to compete at the highest level. Barco believes physical preparation is essential, but says the demands go well beyond building muscle.
“I think you obviously have to change physically, because here they’re robots.”
“But it’s not just about your physique. You have to change your diet, your rest, tactically as well. Here, there’s much more emphasis on all of that, and when you change those things, your physique changes too.”
He was then asked whether talent alone could be enough to succeed in Europe. His answer was pretty emphatic.
“No, talent alone isn’t enough here. I’d say it’s impossible, because you play every three days and the other teams are flying.”
“Football has become much more evenly matched. Even the smaller teams can be very physical, so you have to be at the same level.”
Barco also explained how his daily routine has evolved.
“I already had a routine, a good routine, back there, but here you train much more, you do much more gym work.”
“With nutrition as well, they treat you like a robot, let’s say. And you have everything available. So you’re being monitored all the time, and that helps you reach the highest level.”
And having experienced different European leagues, he has no doubt about where the Premier League stands.
“Both leagues are very physical, but obviously the Premier League is the best in the world, and the quality you have here isn’t there in the other leagues. I think that’s the main difference.”
Barco wants Romero at Chelsea
Well, in the end Barco was asked to put himself in Chelsea’s owners’ shoes. The question was straightforward: if he could tell the club to spend whatever it takes on one player, who would he choose?
“Cuti,” Barco replied immediately. When Edul clarified that he meant Romero, Barco confirmed his answer… So maybe he doesn’t know that Chelsea fans have little sympathy for his Argentine friend given the Tottenham connection.
But asked which goal he celebrated most, he chose his first for Chelsea. “My first goal here, for Chelsea.”
