It was written loads on here in 2009. He played once there at England youth level, a tabloid commented on this, and suddenly (in connection with us signing the physically smaller RB Naughton at the same time) it was received wisdom that Walker would be a future CB.
I agree Barkley's a 100% attacking player, but just like you can't teach Sissoko to control a ball at 28, I don't think you can teach Barkley to tackle, have positioning sense and intelligent decision-making at 23. It also seems pretty pointless when we already have Winks who can do all that, and Onomah coming too - both of whom have far higher ceilings.