In an interview with The Telegraph, Joey Barton has criticised ‘lazy’ Premier League clubs for not signing him. Barton secured a move to Championship Burnely after he was released by QPR earlier in the summer.
In a sensational interview he said that Premier League clubs believe giving him a contract is like “inviting Charles Manson or Fred West into the building”, hitting out at West Ham United who decided against offering him a deal.
In the discussion he said “I think if you’re a Premier League club, anyone from 10th downwards, and you had the opportunity to take me on a free transfer it’s an absolute no-brainer. But they are lazy, they don’t do their homework so they tune into things you did in 2006, 2007, rather than look at what’s going on, what you’ve done in the last three years, how your family circumstances have changed.”
The 32-year-old midfielder has a history of controversy, including a conviction of common assault and affray. Training ground bust-ups, on the pitch violent conduct and Twitter rows are all on Barton’s CV.
But the player who has been capped by England on a single occassion believes his reputation preceeded his talent when being looked at by top division clubs.
Although Burnley gave him a lifeline he still has some reputation building to do at Turf Moor after his previous tweets about the historic club resurfaced as he put pen-to-paper.
Gutted. Always dreamed of living there… “@GregMoloney11: @Joey7Barton looks like u have damaged ur chances signing for Burnley joey”
— Joseph Barton (@Joey7Barton) May 4, 2014
Breaking news: Apologies to Burnley. Just heard all fans are en route as we speak to see the open top bus… 🙈 pic.twitter.com/5E3gzE9Sla
— Joseph Barton (@Joey7Barton) May 4, 2014
In my defence Burnley fans started this by chucking a bottle of coke at my head. I hope you get the ‘large’ crowds your expecting! #20k
— Joseph Barton (@Joey7Barton) May 4, 2014
Barton defended his tweets saying “What’s missed on social media is irony or humour. Things I find funny, Twitter followers don’t. I wasn’t being offensive. It was me trying to stand my ground.”