{"id":923,"date":"2026-08-11T13:37:46","date_gmt":"2026-08-11T13:37:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=923"},"modified":"2026-08-11T13:37:46","modified_gmt":"2026-08-11T13:37:46","slug":"valentin-barcos-future-is-in-doubt-if-chelsea-sign-myles-lewis-skelly-and-the-stats-prove-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=923","title":{"rendered":"Valentin Barco’s future is in doubt if Chelsea sign Myles Lewis-Skelly, and the stats prove it"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Chelsea have reportedly been offered the chance to sign Myles Lewis-Skelly from Arsenal in the coming weeks \u2013 but Valentin Barco will be hoping Chelsea move on from the England ace.<\/strong><\/p>\n

With 11 new signings arriving at Chelsea<\/a> this summer \u2013 five agreed before Xabi Alonso\u2019s <\/a>appointment and six since, including Pep Chavarria \u2013 it is unlikely Chelsea are going to do much more in the window.<\/p>\n

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Are you excited by Barco\u2019s summer arrival?<\/h3>\n

Rosenior’s Strasbourg star is incoming.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Indeed, when Chavarria is confirmed, the Blues will have spent a whopping \u00a3350m<\/a> on new signings. They include the record \u00a3117m fee for Morgan Rogers, but also a fee of \u00a334m to sign Argentine ace Barco.<\/a><\/p>\n

However, this is Chelsea and BlueCo we are talking about. Plenty are expected to leave the club, and that may leave a couple of gaps that require strengthening. Myles Lewis-Skelly<\/a> is the latest to be linked.<\/p>\n

Plenty of comparisons between Lewis-Skelly and Chelsea\u2019s Barco<\/h2>\n

Arsenal\u2019s signing of Bruno Guimaraes has reduced Lewis-Skelly\u2019s chances of getting into Arsenal\u2019s midfield reckoning. He\u2019s already third choice at left-back, and Chelsea have been offered his services.<\/a><\/p>\n

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Young with huge potential, already a member of his National Team, able to play both left-back and in midfield, and known for an aggressive, provoking personality, Lewis-Skelly and Barco<\/a> are very alike.<\/p>\n

Indeed, England fans saw Barco\u2019s wind-up ability at the World Cup \u2013 the flame-haired midfielder running onto the pitch and celebrating in the faces of England\u2019s players after Enzo Fernandez had scored.<\/p>\n

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Where does Myles Lewis-Skelly fit into Xabi Alonso\u2019s Chelsea?<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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The Blues have been offered the chance to sign the Arsenal man\u2026<\/p>\n

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Over in France, Barco has excelled with Strasbourg. Technically gifted, Barco has largely been playing in the middle of the park, but can play as a left-back. So, if Lewis-Skelly joins, does he replace Barco?<\/p>\n

The stats prove Valentin Barco\u2019s Chelsea future is in doubt<\/h2>\n

Below, we compare the duo\u2019s league form for Strasbourg and Arsenal when both have been used in midfield. Lewis-Skelly keeps the ball better, but Barco is perhaps slightly more creative with the ball.<\/p>\n

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Stat Metric (Per 90)<\/strong><\/td>\nMyles Lewis-Skelly <\/strong><\/td>\nValent\u00edn Barco <\/strong><\/td>\nTactical Advantage<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Passes Completed \/ 90<\/strong><\/td>\n68.4<\/strong><\/td>\n56.2<\/td>\nLewis-Skelly<\/strong> (Higher Volume)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Pass Completion %<\/strong><\/td>\n92.8%<\/strong><\/td>\n82.1%<\/td>\nLewis-Skelly<\/strong> (Retention & Control)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Progressive Passes \/ 90<\/strong><\/td>\n4.62<\/td>\n7.15<\/strong><\/td>\nBarco<\/strong> (Penetrative Line-Breaking)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Passes into Final Third \/ 90<\/strong><\/td>\n4.80<\/td>\n6.42<\/strong><\/td>\nBarco<\/strong> (Territorial Gain)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Key Passes \/ 90<\/strong><\/td>\n0.65<\/td>\n2.10<\/strong><\/td>\nBarco<\/strong> (Chance Creation)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Successful Take-Ons \/ 90<\/strong><\/td>\n1.82<\/strong><\/td>\n1.15<\/td>\nLewis-Skelly<\/strong> (Escaping Pressure)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Take-On Success Rate (%)<\/strong><\/td>\n83.3%<\/strong><\/td>\n56.5%<\/td>\nLewis-Skelly<\/strong> (Dribble Security)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tackles + Interceptions \/ 90<\/strong><\/td>\n3.12<\/td>\n3.85<\/strong><\/td>\nBarco<\/strong> (Defensive Activity)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ground Duels Won %<\/strong><\/td>\n59.2%<\/strong><\/td>\n52.8%<\/td>\nLewis-Skelly<\/strong> (Physicality\/Duels)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Fouls Committed \/ 90<\/strong><\/td>\n1.10<\/strong><\/td>\n2.05<\/td>\nLewis-Skelly<\/strong> (Fewer Giveaways)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n

Ultimately, given the similarities between the two, if Lewis-Skelly joins Chelsea from Arsenal, then Barco\u2019s future at Chelsea is in doubt without even playing a game, because there is one crucial element missing.<\/p>\n

Lewis-Skelly has done it in the Premier League. He knows what English football is all about; he\u2019s proven in England\u2019s top tier. Barco has only impressed in France, failing to make a name for himself at Brighton.<\/p>\n

Chelsea should sign Lewis-Skelly if indeed, he has become available and the price is right. But if they do, then do not be surprised to see Barco forced to leave Chelsea on loan before the end of the window.<\/p>\n

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