It’s been quite a year for Gareth Barry, he’s gone from international occasional to England’s most consistent performer and now there are rumours that Chelsea are preparing a £15m bid to bring him to the Bridge.
It feels like he’s been around for ages and yesterday Barry became the youngest player to reach 300 Premier League games – ironically overtaking the man he could replace in the Chelsea team, Frank Lampard.
Lampard also hit form at the weekend but with a lucrative contract still unsigned, his future at Chelsea remains clouded with Barcelona apparently waiting in the wings come January.
Martin O’Neil has obviously distanced the club from speculation but could Chelsea’s supposed interest mean that Lampard’s days are numbered and would Barry be the best replacement?