England's Ross Barkley says swapping Everton for Chelsea made a man of him

Ross Barkley believes his two-goal performance for England in Montenegro was ­conclusive evidence he was right to leave the Merseyside ­goldfish bowl.

Midfielder Barkley’s career was blighted by off-the-field incidents in his native Liverpool and he is ­convinced a move to London has helped him mature and start to realise the talent that was obvious when he was a youngster at Everton.

He explained: “I am away from my family and down in London by myself. I am in a totally different environment from Liverpool. I miss being with my family, it is totally different. It is how I am maturing as a person and a player. It is good.”

Did he think he needed the change?

“Yes, exactly,” he declared.

How England's World Cup 2022 squad could look

Barkley had issues on and off the pitch at hometown club Everton (Getty Images Europe)

“Since I made the move it was good to challenge myself and win trophies and to improve as a player. I’ve changed compared to when I was 18, 19 or 20. My diet is much ­better. My ­approach to games is much better and I am going into them with the right ­preparation and I am more ­relaxed, rather than think about things too much.

“I will keep working hard and it will come.”

It certainly came on Monday night.

Barkley said: “It was my best ­performance for England. I came up with the two goals and had a hand in a ­couple of the goals — but I felt I could have played better.”

England player ratings as Ross Barkley shines in Montenegro win

Even after his most impressive England display so far, Barkley said he can improve (Action Images via Reuters)

And even though in this youthful England squad, ­Barkley is almost a ­seasoned professional, he is determined there is a lot more to come from him, adding: “We can all improve. We are not in the game to accept where we are at. We have to ­improve at club level – and at ­international level there is a lot of room for ­improvement.

“I never thought I would not play for my country. We all go through ­difficult spells. But I am just believing in ­myself now and having ­confidence.

“My focus is to add ­something to the side – the future is really bright. You see how the young players have performed and how good they are – Declan Rice, Jadon Sancho and ­Callum Hudson-Odoi. They were frightening in training. It’s great to be part of it.”