Barkley has been badly exposed, I wasn't expecting anything world class but damn. Kovacic I did expect better from tho
Kovacic looks tidy but has no end product. Doesn't really score barring a hattrick in the Europa League for Inter and doesn't assist either. His problem was, he had a good season with Inter and needed to go to a club where he would continue to get games week in week out, but went to Real and we know he was only getting games if one of Kroos, Cas, Isco or Modric were out.
What is pretty damning about Barkley is when he came out and said he hasn't been properly coached till he got to Chelsea. Bobby Martinez over indulged him and didn't correct his poor play and allowed him to continue making the same mistakes over and over again. Also forcing him to play as a #10 when he wasn't ready nor that type of player. As his whole career from youth level and his early pro games with Wednesday and the last days of Moyes, he was played as an #8. Let's be honest at Barkley's age (25) you should know what your game is and everything is about having a level of high consistency. He is the opposite.
Listening to Barkley speak and see how he plays, he doesn't come across as particularly smart.