Opinion: Barnsley need to ensure they snap up 24-year-old in the summer | OneFootball

Since Poya Asbaghi refreshed the Tykes squad in the winter window though, they have looked a lot better and sharper and have even begun to pick up wins against some of the bigger teams in the league. Had they started the season like this, they might not have been so deeply rooted in the drop zone.

A quick look at the form shows how much better Barnsley have been. Over their last ten games, they have picked up ten points and whilst it isn’t the greatest record, it would see them to 18th in the second tier.

Quiz: What town or city were these 20 Barnsley players born in?

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Jack Walton?

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Even better is their record over the last five games. The form table over those fixtures would see the Tykes sitting in the top half of the division.

An escape from relegation is still possible and it comes largely down to some of the fresh bodies that Barnsley added in that January window. One such name, Amine Bassi, has been superb for his on loan team and the Tykes would do well to sort out a more permanent arrangement in the summer.

With two goals and two assists in just seven games so far, the 24-year-old has lit up Oakwell and has helped to drag them closer towards safety. Operating both behind the striker and on the wing, he has terrified opposition defenders, running at them at will and offering some much needed creativity to the team.

Bassi has showcased a superb ability to finish off chances himself, as he possesses excellent shooting skills for an attacking midfielder. His dribbling has also been brilliant so far – as shown by the player attempting 24 dribbles so far and having a 70% success rate as per WyScout.

In terms of his duels and defensive work, there is room for improvement but that is to be expected from a much more offensively minded player. He does what he needs to and he can do it well to boot. If Barnsley had a full season of Bassi – a man that has already managed more goal contributions since January than half the team – it could be a sight to behold at Oakwell.

If Metz don’t see any plans for him – either at all or in the near future – then Barnsley need to ensure they jump at the chance to get him on loan again at the very least or possibly even snap him up permanently if it is doable. Anyone who has seen Barnsley recently can see the impact he has had – and they cannot afford to let him leave without a fight.