Despite being linked to the likes of Newcastle United, Ross Barkley has hinted that he intends to stay at Chelsea and win trophies with the West London club.
Barkley left Everton in 2018, where after a lack of minutes at Stamford Bridge he was loaned about to Aston Villa last season. Barkley has struggled to vie for a place in a talent-packed midfield under Thomas Tuchel so far. But should he leave Chelsea or stay?
Carefree Chelsea editor Scott Clayton (SC) spoke to football.london's Chelsea writers Sam Inkersole (SI) and Adam Newson (AN), on Monday afternoons Back Page show about what they think Barkley should do?
AN: “Would I start him, yeah maybe. It’s one of the areas of the pitch where Chelsea don’t have any real major problems at the moment, which is the forward line. Everyone is fit. Havertz injury that he suffered against West Ham.
“That wasn’t serious and he’s in the squad. I mean it’s a tough one to bring him in because there are guys like Pulisic who will want to start. Start Romelu Lukaku and I think you probably do.
“It's your chance to give him some minutes. Then you’ve got Hudson-Odoi, Hakim Ziyech, Mason Mount and Timo Werner. So it’s hard because you’ve got all these guys. For Barkley to push above these guys.
“I would be astounded if he played in a double six to be completely honest. He has the defensive skills to do that. So, it’s a tricky one for him. He’s in a tough position where this one area of the pitch where Chelsea don’t have injures.
“It’s just the one area where he is trying to force himself in. In terms of potential suitors in January, he obviously wants a chance to show what he can do. I think we’ve seen flashes of what he can do.
“Especially of the bench, he has had some nice moments. Maybe hasn’t hit the same heights as when he started against Burnley at Stamford Bridge when he did start. There was one questionable shot when he should have maybe passed.
“It is a strange one, he is 28-years-old. You think he would like to get out and be established somewhere else. Not playing regularly. But, on the flip side, he’s earning a decent wage at Chelsea.
“He’s in a squad where he doesn’t play regularly but in a squad that competes for trophies. Some payers may be happy with that. It’s an interesting situation. If there is interest in January, maybe he listens to it and takes his next step.
“At 28 you think the kind of move he next makes will probably be the most important one. He needs to find a new home.”
SI: “He’s got no future at Stamford Bridge. There’s such competition for places in that part of the pitch. That I just can’t see him forcing his way in.”
If Ross Barkley decides to leave Chelsea, who should he join? Follow our Carefree Chelsea team members Scott, Sam, Adam and Renuka on Twitter to get involved in the discussion and give us your thoughts in the comments section below.
