Barnsley: Ryan Kent out to hit the ground running after joining Reds from Liverpool FC

Newbie Ryan Kent feels he is ready to jump straight in and get started at Barnsley.
Ryan Kent during his time at CoventryRyan Kent during his time at Coventry
Ryan Kent during his time at Coventry

The 19-year-old winger became the eighth summer signing for Paul Heckingbottom’s side when he joined the Reds on a season long loan deal earlier this week.

Heckingbottom will be hoping the Liverpool loanee can have the same impact at Oakwell as Lloyd Isgrove, Ashley Fletcher and Aidy White did during the club’s delightful double last season.

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Kent believes he can add excitement to the Reds’ squad with his blistering pace.

“I’m ready for the season to start,” said Kent, who made his senior debut for Jürgen Klopp’s side in an FA Cup clash at Exeter City last term.

“Physically I feel fine because I’ve been doing double sessions everyday at Liverpool. I’ve got a lot of minutes under my belt with five pre-season games.

“I’m still trying to find the technical side of my game and that will come in a couple of weeks. I like to think I can bring a lot of excitement to the team.

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“I’m quite an advanced player on either wing and I like getting ahead of the striker with my speed. I’m looking forward to playing with the other players because there’s a lot of quality here.

“I know that we can excite the fans this year and surprise a few teams with the capabilities that we have.

“Hopefully we can build some good chemistry and get some wins. I know the fans are great here and the stadium and facilities are too so I’m really looking forward to my time here.”

Barnsley experienced first hand exactly what the talented wide man is all about when he scored against them in a 4-3 defeat whilst on loan at Coventry.

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And the youngster is adamant his time under Tony Mowbrey will hold him in good stead for the Championship.

“The experience I got last year really benefitted my game,” added Kent.

“Last year at Coventry I played mainly on the right wing whereas before that I played on the left a lot.

“It helped balance my game out a lot and I’m really lucky to be gifted with both feet because that means I can play on either side.

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“Playing with a new team in a new league that I’ve never experienced before is something I’m really looking forward to.

“It’s the next step in my career at the moment and I’m trying to take it forward.”

Meanwhile, a welcome boost to the club’s coffers could soon be on its way as Manchester City chief Pep Guardiola confirmed his interest in former Reds’ defender John Stones.

The Reds will receive 15 per cent of any fee paid for the Everton defender due to a sell-on clause from when the 22-year-old left the club in 2013.

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“Everybody knows we are going to try,” said the former Barcelona manager, who is currently in China for City’s pre-season tour.

“I am very happy with the squad we have.

“Normally central defenders are strong in the air and aggressive.

“But we need to have a good build-up to create easy passes in the midfield so they can create good passes for the strikers.

“I believe when the ball goes from the central defender to the striker as quickly as possible, it comes as quickly as possible back.

“That is why the players in that area need quality. By 31 August we will have the right squad to play how we want.”