Finley Barbrook is a 20-year-old English midfielder currently on loan at Sutton United from Ipswich Town where he operates either as the lone pivot in a 4-3-3 or in the double pivot of a 4-2-3-1. Barbrook is a product of Ipswich’s academy and is currently on his second spell away from the club after a successful loan to National League South side Chelmsford City FC in the 23/24 season.
Barbrook is a taller and thinner frame standing at around 1.83 m tall. Despite having the potential to use this taller frame as leverage, he currently lacks physically, with average upper body strength and short acceleration as well as a slightly below average level of pace over a distance. Despite these current weaknesses, he does have stronger levels of stamina and will consistently cover ground both when making later runs forward and in moving to find space to receive the ball.
As well as the need to improve physically, Barbrook can also look to be more aggressive and brave in challenges and become more of an imposing figure, especially when playing as the deepest midfielder. He could also become more competitive in aerial duels by looking to attack the ball, whereas currently he lacks the use of momentum and usually jumps from a standstill, putting him at a disadvantage against the opposition midfielder.
Barbrook’s strengths really show when he and his team are in possession. Strong technically. he possesses a broad passing range, capable of short flicks around the corner, well-weighted passes over the top into runners, and quick one and two touch passes to build tempo from deeper positions. He is also a capable set piece taker with a flat in swung delivery. Although there are some inconsistencies, he is often very reliable in possession.
He can use his long strides to carry the ball forward, but lacks the explosiveness to really make the most of the space ahead. Instead, he will more often look to shift past a tackle, using both feet to evade the challenge, often choosing to wait for pressure, before timing the release of his pass and then moving into the space ahead for the return, behind the opposition press, using technical skill over physical power.
Barbrook possesses strong awareness, excellent scanning ability, checking over his shoulder pre-touch, the composure required when in deeper positions to bring the ball down under pressure or open out to face play, all whilst making strong decisions in possession for someone of his age. He can still improve on his initial body positioning when looking to receive the ball, angling himself to face play earlier to then be more likely to play forward.
Out of possession, Barbrook currently shows far more influence in making interceptions through his reading of the play over physical ball winning qualities. He scans well when in set positions and can use his long legs to make blocks. Although, when moving closer to the ball he lacks awareness of what is behind him which affects his screening ability. At times, he can be caught too high, leaving space in behind while being drawn into the ball and man in possession rather than protecting the space first.
A lack of agility and speed from a stop and start position show in his 1v1 defending. He can also be caught flat footed and set or have his momentum used against him which only adds to the difficulty. Barbrook also shows a lack of timing when moving towards the man, often making a challenge when the ball has already been played resulting in giving away fouls. I believe this has a lot to do with his adapting to the speed of men’s first team football at this level, and his 1v1 defensive ability will begin to even out.
One of Barbrook’s greatest strengths is his awareness of space, consistently looking to receive the ball, both ahead of his defence and when in settled possession in the opposition’s half, where he consistently looks to move towards the ball to decrease the distance of the pass and then recycle possession. He continues to show his awareness of space by making runs towards the edge of the opposition box from deeper positions and has the technique required to generate power on the instep and when striking through the ball.
Overall, Finley Barbrook is a young midfielder that is again flourishing on loan. He has the technical acumen, awareness of space, composure and decision-making skills to play at a higher level. With that in mind, his contract with parent club Ipswich Town comes to an end in June 2025. I would hope there are several potential clubs within the EFL looking at his progress and could see him moving to a mid-table EFL League Two side in the very near future either permanently or on loan. Barbrook could potentially develop into mid-table EFL League One standard if all goes well with his first taste of EFL football.
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