Barkley sorry not to meet Sarri before

ROSS BARKLEY claims he would be a better player now had he met Maurizio Sarri earlier in his career.

And the Chelsea midfielder says he has done enough this season to earn an England recall when Gareth Southgate names his squad to face Croatia and Spain today.

Barkley, 24, has yet to play for Southgate and has not been in the Three Lions squad since March 2017 but he is playing more regularly for the Blues under coach Sarri.

“I believe I’m playing a big role in the side and I think my performances show that I’m capable England Barkley.

“Sarri’s philosophy has helped me a lot because over the years I haven’t been coached much and I’m at an age now where I understand football a lot more. I believe that if I did have that type of approach from a coach when I of being in squad now,” the said was younger, maybe I would have improved a lot more.

“I know how important it is to take different tactics from different managers on board and I feel ready to understand every aspect of the game.

“Sarri has given me the chance to play and I hope I’ve taken that chance. From a technical point of view, he is making me a better player.

“His style suits mine and, as the season goes on, I will show a lot more what I’m capable of and I will start to score and assist a lot more.”

Barkley, who worked with the likes of David Moyes, Roberto Martinez and Ronald Koeman at Everton before joining Chelsea, was not in the World Cup squad and the last of his 22 caps was in 2016.

But Southgate was there to see him play the full 90 minutes as Chelsea beat Liverpool in the Carabao Cup at Anfield and he has already made twice as many appearances as he did last season.

Barkley said: “I’m ready to be called up. Would I be disappointed if players who aren’t playing are in ahead of me? Yes. I believe that over the next couple of years I can take part in the European Championships and the next World Cup.” Barkley will get another chance to impress in tonight’s Europa League clash with Hungarians MOL Vidi. He said: “We’re in it to win it.” Barkley’s England rival Ruben LoftusCheek is also expected to start.

CHELSEA (probable):